Tura, July 22: Meghalaya police today handed over the body of
30-year-old Sahed Miah to his family. His body was found on the
outskirt of Tura, near Montford Education Centre yesterday evening.
Miah, a resident of Mancachar in Assam’s Dhubri district was a daily
wage earner.
“It is a clear case of murder. Post mortem was conducted today and we
have handed over his body to his family. We have registered a case and
investigation is on”, said Mukesh Singh, superintendent of police,
West Garo Hills.
The cold blooded murder has angered residents of Mancachar and its
neigbouring areas, who frequent Garo hills for business and labour
works.
“We are living in constant fear. If the situation remains grim, we
will have no option but to abstain from visiting Garo hills”, said
Abash Ali, a labourer.
Most daily wage labourers working in Garo hills are from Assam’s
Dhubri and Goalpara district. “We come to Garo hills in search of
work. We are poor people, we work hard to survive. If there is no
security, how can we live here”, said Mozibul Hussain, a vegetable
vendor.
In town like Tura, Williamnagar, Resubelpara, Ampati and Baghmara, a
good majority of the traders are from Assam. They are engaged in
different traders, including owning small grocery shops, vegetable,
fish and meat outlets, etc.
In last two months, 14 persons from Mancachar area have been abducted.
Two bodies were recovered so far.
An activist from plain belt area of Garo hills, Mostapha Kabir said,
“The ongoing law and order situation in Garo hills goes to depict that
state machinery has failed to deal with the situation. We urge state
government to release compensation for the families, whose dear ones
have been murdered”.
He added, “Police should press into action and immediately arrest the
culprits involved in the murder”.
Several civil bodies in Mancachar are holding a protest rally tomorrow
to condemn the murder of Miah.(SP News)
