Tura, June 12: The 12- hour non-cooperation movement (NCM) passed off peacefully today across Garo hills districts. No untoward incidents were reported.
The NCM was effective from 5 AM to 5 PM. It will be in force tomorrow as well.
Normal life came to a grinding halt with all government offices, educational institutions, banks, shops and other business establishments remaining closed. People preferred to remain indoors. Vehicles remained off the road.
The protest spearheaded by Garo Students Union and North East Students Organisation is to demand a CBI or a judicial probe into the two recent custodial deaths of Balsan Marak and Witson M. Sangma.
Balsan, an undertrial prisoner had died in a government hospital on May 20, whereas, Witson, a suspected overground worker of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) died in police lock-up at Chokpot in South Garo Hills on May 28.
Balsan was arrested on May 13 and Witson on May 27.
The student’s body is also demanding compensation for Late Washington N. Marak, killed four years ago in a fake encounter. The National Human Rights Commission had directed government to release the compensation.
Across Garo hills, the deputy commissioner’s office remained almost empty with very thin attendance.
Meghalaya chief secretary, WMS Pariat had issued an instruction yesterday that salary of government employees will be cut, if they fail to attend their duties.
West Garo Hills deputy commissioner, Pravin Bakshi said, “We received the order yesterday around 7 pm, so it could not be relayed to different line departments. We are issuing the necessary circular today”.(SP News)
