By Our Reporter
on Wednesday. (ST)
SHILLONG: When the exodus of hundreds of migrant labourers from Tura is continuing, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma has claimed that the migrant labourers are leaving the region following an advisory from the State Government.
Defending his government’s decision to circulate the advisory, the Chief Minister on Wednesday said the step was taken to ensure that the “labourers do not fall prey to anti-social elements”.
It may be mentioned that the hundreds of migrant labourers were escorted to Assam from Tura after violence erupted in Tura. Altogether nine labourers have lost their lives in different parts of Garo Hills in last one week.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister convened a meeting of Garo legislators to discuss the prevailing law and order situation in Garo Hills.
The meeting adopted a resolution to appeal to the citizens of Garo Hills for maintaining peace besides requesting the public not to give a communal twist to the recent incidents of violence.
The meeting also resolved to suggest to the Government to facilitate better involvement of inter-faith forum with the district authorities for restoring normalcy in Garo Hills even as the meeting urged the Government to initiate steps for formation of an inter- community forum
After the meeting Dr Sangma told mediapersons that a six-member team of MLAs from Garo Hills would visit the region. The team will be touring the entire Garo Hills region to oversee peace activities and try to restore normalcy in the region, the Chief Minister said.
Parliamentary secretaries Winnerson D Sangma, R Marak, N R Marak, Opposition member and NPP legislator James Sangma and Independent legislator Saleng Sangma are part of the delegation. Two state ministers Zenith M Sangma and Clement Marak have already left to tour the Garo Hills on Wednesday even as Parliamentary Secretary (Home) W D Sangma has been camping at Tura since Saturday, the Chief Minister said.
Admitting that no one has been arrested in the cold-blooded murder of eight migrant labourers in a remote village in South Garo Hills on Sunday night, the Chief Minister said efforts were on to nab the perpetrators of the crime.
According to Dr Sangma, the situation in Garo Hills was under control as weekly markets in Purakhasia and Ampati passed off peacefully and “this is an indication that situation is under control.”
While stating that the State Government needs to be vigil and cautious, the Chief Minister pointed out that provisions of law will prevail while dealing with anti social elements who are enticing violence.
“We (Meghalaya government) have also taken up with the Assam counterparts and requested them to take necessary measures to ensure that there is sustained peace in Assam as well,” Dr Sangma said.
The meeting which was attended by several legislators from Garo Hills also expressed concern over the misuse of social media where certain individuals are further flaring up the issue.
MTC bus service: Despite the prevailing tension along the Assam-Meghalaya border, the MTC is still continuing its bus service to Garo Hills.
Official sources on Wednesday informed that the MTC is plying its buses through Shillong-Nongstoin-Williamnagar-Tura road “since it is not safe to ply through Assam at the moment.”
The MTC bus leaves Tura at 1 pm while from Williamnagar at 4 pm while adding that the buses from Shillong normally leaves at 5 pm.
“The buses would halt at Shallang police outpost during the wee hours. They would again move towards to Shillong or Tura early in the morning,” official sources added. (With inputs from agencies)