Tura, June 2: The 12 hour non-cooperation movement (NCM) called by a conglomeration of NGOs in Garo hills today passed off peacefully. All
the five districts in Garo hills remained closed from 5 am to 5pm.
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, whearas, 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.
Most of the government offices remained closed. The deputy
commissioner’s office was functioning in all the five districts with
very thin attendance. All educational institutes, business
establishment were shut and vehicles remained off the road.
West Garo Hills deputy commissioner, Pravin Bakshi said, “Magistrates
and senior officers are on duty. All other government offices have
seen very low attendance”.
“In the district coordination meeting, one of our agenda was that
during protest and agitations, government employees should attend
office without fail”, he added.
GSU president Tengsak Momin said, “We will intensify our protest, if
government fails to constitute a CBI or a judicial probe immediately.
We don’t have faith in the state government enquiry or a magisterial
probe”.
An activist of federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo people, Pritam
Marak said, “We thank the people for supporting our fight for justice
of Balsan Marak. We have resolved to carry on the fight until our
demands are met”.
Meghalaya government has constituted a high level probe headed by
commissioner of division (Garo hills), Peter J. Ingty for Balsan’s
custodial death and a magisterial probe. The administration in South
Garo Hills has also constituted a magisterial probe for Witson
Sangma’s custodial death.(SP News)
