Tura, Sept 22: Two days after the GNC finally broke their silence, with the lone GNC MLA, Clifford Marak asking for their unconditional release, the parents of the arrested statehood activists vowed to carry on the fight to seek an unconditional release of their children. The parents of the activists had been running everywhere seeking support for their cause and said they blamed the administration for the mess the whole process was in at present.
The activists’ parents lambasted local NGOs saying they had not come forward in the time of need and were in fact thwarting efforts made by others to help. They maintained that they were looking to ensure that their children are released unconditionally and that they would look at ways to protest the arrests made. They asked for the video of activities that happened within the office of DC, West Garo Hills, to be sure that the arrests made were genuine. The parents met each other yesterday to discuss what their future course of action would be.
While the Deputy Commissioner maintained that since the matter was in Court a bail would have to be sought, some guardians stated that they did not have money to bail their children out as their backgrounds were very poor, while others stated that their wards have already advised them against getting bail as they wanted an unconditional release and would like to come out together. Having been arrested on the 11th onwards, the first batch of 13 will complete 14 days in custody on the 25th.
The NGOs in the meantime maintained that they had not even been approached by the parent group for any kind of assistance. However, it is difficult to ascertain what they would do if approached by the parents as they have been against the bandh calls made by the GHSMC to begin with.
The 25 arrested activists were finally acknowledged by the GNC with C R Marak threatening to fast unto death if they were not released unconditionally by the 25th of the month. This is now being followed by the parents of the activists, who earlier had decided to do the same but changed their minds due to the prevailing circumstances. They also questioned the administration regarding the arrest of two juveniles amongst the 25 and asked how they could be kept in the same place as the others.
From information received from sources, the parents are also looking to firstly meeting the NGOs of the region for their support to get the protests over the arrests off the road. Till then the journey will be long.(SP News)
