Tura, 27th September: The ongoing ILP demonstrations were given a rest in the town of Tura today for preparations for the upcoming Martyrs Day in Garo Hills region. While most places in Garo Hills still went ahead with the picketing of offices, however, the town of Tura gave the ILP demonstration a miss to prepare for the 30th September Martyr’s Day.
For the uninitiated, on the 30th of September, 2005, 9 people lost their lives to police firing for protesting the movement of the MBOSE to Shillong. 4 people in Tura and another 5 in Williamnagar lost their lives to indiscriminate police firing in what is considered a black day for Garo hills. Their deaths have been remembered every year by the people of the region and floral tributes paid to honour their memories.
On the same note, the Secretary of the 30th September Peace Committee, Adinson Ch Momin has requested all agitating parties to call off any kind of bandhs or agitations till the 30th of September, in memory of the victims so that they were able to complete their preparations. He said, “We have currently stopped all forms of agitations due to the oncoming 30th September. We have sent out a message to all concerned to understand the state of affairs and allow us some time to prepare for the remembrance day”.
Meanwhile the committee also requested the 30th September to be given as a half day off for schools and offices as a mark of respect. Adinson said, “Our request to the administration is to allow for the 30th of September to be given as a half day as a mark of respect to the departed souls. We are not demanding the same, but want to put in a request on behalf of the people of Tura and the Committee to consider the same”.
While the ILP agitations have been gaining momentum throughout the state, the consideration to be made for the people of the Garo Hills region is due and as expected will be taken into account when the ILP team meets to discuss their plan of action for the coming week.(SP News)
