Tura, October 19: The NGO’s from Goar Hills in the press statement issued today to the media houses, express their displeasure with the biased disposition of the District Administration and the police in the case of the murder of Late Sengat Sangma and the events that transpired thereafter, they alleged.
It was on the 13th of October that Late Sengat Sangma and his two friends were assaulted by some local Rishi goons at Rishipara, subsequently the police arrived and instead of arresting the assaulters the police arrested the victims, and detained them the whole night instead of admitting him in hospital despite his grievous injuries which subsequently led to the death of Late Sengat Sangma.
So far, no action has been initiated against the guilty Police SI who not only detained them the whole night but also physically assaulted the victims and the negligent Medical Officer who despite conducting a medical check-up and saw his grievous injuries failed to admit him in the hospital. Further, despite being brought to the acknowledgement of the Administration about the nefarious activities such as illicit liquor sale, drugs peddling and prostitution the Police and the Administration has not taken any action against those criminals, instead the whole Rishipara is enjoying police protection since the incident till date.
As a mark of condolence to the deceased we appealed all the traders of Tura to close their shops on the 19th of October for a period of time, and many welcomed the idea and conveyed their eagerness to observe the same, however, on the evening of 18th October the District Administration contacted many traders and warned them of dire consequences if they don’t open their shops. It has been also brought to our knowledge that the District Administration personally contacted some businessmen by phone and urged them to open their shops.
The Social organization from Garo Hills question the District administration,Why did the District Administration urged only the non-tribal businessmen to open their shops, whilst no Tribal businessmen was instructed the same, as it is evident none of the tribal establishments opened their shops not only in Tura Bazar but the whole of Tura?
If closing shops as a mark of condolence is a contempt of court than why did the District Administration allowed the closing of shops after the passing away of Bibash Das on 20th September 2016? If non-tribals can request the closure of shops as a gesture of respect why can’t we request the closure of shops as a mark of condolence to convey the message that murder of an innocent is wrong.
Is there an attempt being made to alienate the Tribals and non tribals of Tura by the District Administration and the police to present a different picture of the whole incident to protect their own officials and the culprits? They alleged.
The approach to the path of right and wrong is being diluted in a panicky reaction to the situation which could have been controlled had the nefarious activities carried out in Rishipara was nipped in the bud. Instead of a conciliatory response the administration panics and responses on a war footing to a simple request i.e. a mark of condolence and condemnation. The non-tribals did not respond to our request and their non-compliance is proof that the request was just for show of unity as citizens of Tura.
