From Our Correspondent
TURA: The Garo Students’ Union (GSU) Williamnagar Zone along with various other NGOs of the area on Friday organised a protest rally at Williamnagar, East Garo Hills on Friday to condemn the recent gang rape incident at Williamnagar and to spread awareness about violence against women.
Adding to the weight of the protest rally, leaders and members of various influential NGOs from Tura like the Garo Students’ Union (GSU) Tura, Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Peoples Movement for Democratic Rights (PMDR), Garo Hills Sentinel of Human Rights (GHSHR) and A’chik Youth Welfare Organization (AYWO) also rushed to Williamnagar to participate in the rally.
All the people and NGO members, besides condemning the rape incident, also took up several resolutions and collectively decided to submit a memorandum to the State Home Minister.
GSU, Williamnagar Zone president Rakte Marak informed that the NGOs have decided to seek for swift justice to be delivered to the rape victim and stringent action to be taken against the culprits involved in the incident.
However, the GSU leader expressed his disappointment over the poor turnout of people at the rally and urged the people of Williamnagar to come out without fear or trepidation in future to fight violence against women and other evils that are plaguing Garo Hills.
Stating that peace and safety of any society or region lies in the hands of the public, Marak said, “We have to look out for one another and support one another. If we are united for a good cause then no evil can triumph over us.”
Meanwhile, there was wide condemnation of the lack of public response in this rally which was held to protest against increasing violence against women and minors.
“It is very disappointing to see the ignorance of the public on this issue. This is not only the voice of a few NGOs, it should a State-wide protest for a safe and secure environment for the women of the State,” a Women Commission member based in East Garo Hills said here on Saturday, adding, “It is high time for the public to come out on their own and demand justice for the gang-rape victim.”