Shillong, June 22: In the aftermath of yesterday’s incidents in Tura town, where a girlWas allegedly molested by some labourers in Chandmari area and the subsequentDisturbances, a high level review of Law and Order situation was taken by MrsRoshan Warjri Home Minister, Meghalava with senior Police officers, in the lateevening of 21rd June, 2013, in the presence of Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs,Meghalaya and Parliamentary Secretary Home (Police).
After detailed assessment of the situation and the steps taken by District Administration of West Garo Hills, instructions were given for deployment of immediate reinforcements to effectively control and contain the situation to prevent any escalation. Night dominance by forces to curb the activities of anti-social elements all over Garo Hills, especially in and around Tura Town and border areas of the districts with Assam was ordered. To provide effective medical treatment, the three injured persons were shifted to Guwahati. Addl. Directgr General (L&O) Meghalaya was directed to proceed to Tura to closely monitor the situation and supervise Law and Order Arrangements.
Today, in the forenoon, after reviewing the situation, the District Administration, West Garo Hills relaxed the curfew from 1100 hrs to 1600 hrs & no untoward incident was reported during this period. Today from 1200 hrs onwards, a peace committee meeting was organised by the West Garo Hills District Administration wherein various NGOs, Social organisations, Mothers Union, Youth groups, Church leaders, MLA South Tura, & some political leaders participated. The participants unanimously condemned the assault on the helpless girl, violent acts against the labourers and vandalism of some shops by rowdy and anti-social elements. The Peace Committee appealed to all sections of the society within Garo Hills and outside the state to maintain restraint, peace and harmony and not to allow any vested interests to take advantage of the situation.
In the series of incidents, 4 persons were injured and one killed. Reportedly three vehicles were set on fire and 8 to 10 shops vandalized. The District Administration is assessing the damage/losses and cases have been registered under appropriate sectioin of Law and investigations initiated. BSF has rendered effective contribution by way of increased vigilance and providing shelters to persons apprehending attacks in various pockets of the district. All vehicles proceeding from Shillong, Guwahati etc to Tura arrived safely under police escorts and persons wanting to leave Tura were ensure safe passage local police and security agency. No toward incident has been reported from any part of the district, specially the border beft with Assam.
Close coordination with the authorities of Assam at the local and State level is being ensured to diffuse the situation and build confidence measures to restore normalcy. Government of Meghalaya strongly condemns the alleged molestation of the victim girl and also the subsequent acts of violence by anti social elements. Stringent action as per the law of the land will be taken against all those involved in these incidents. State Government also appeals to all sections of thGsociety to maintain calm and communal harmony. Government has directed the Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills District to set up a magisterial enquiry into the whole incident and submit a report within a period of two weeks.(SP News)
