TURA: Four organizations representing the Hajong community have written to the Meghalaya government and in particular to Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma seeking the deployment of paramilitary camps to check militant activity in the wake of the recent attack in which three persons, including two women, were shot dead at Garodoba village of South West Garo Hills district.
The All India Hajong Welfare Association, Meghalaya Hajong Welfare Association, Hajong Graduates’ Union and the Hajong Students’ Union, recently handed over a memorandum to Meghalaya government seeking the setting up of paramilitary camps in Garodoba, Betasing, Bhoirakopi and Zikzak, Zekabari, Katuli, Kodoldhowa and Bhajamara to control the activities of militants.
The demand for security has been growing since the September 16th night attack on two households in Garodoba village by suspected GNLA militants.
In that attack Sredina Sangma and Chandrabala Hajong were shot dead along with Anirudha Hajong after armed militants barged into their homes and opened indiscriminate fire. The minor daughter of the house was also hit by gunfire and is currently recuperating in a hospital.
The Hajong associations have also urged upon the government to award an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 10 Lakh each to the families of the three victims who were shot dead by the ultras and provide a suitable government employment to a dependent of each family of the deceased.
The organizations have demanded that the government bear the medical expenses of the minor girl who sustained bullet injuries and hand over compensation of Rs 5 Lac while also bearing the educational expenses of the girl and all other minors who were dependent on the deceased victims.
Over five thousand people representing the Hajong community and joined by other tribes including Garos staged a peace rally last Tuesday. The participants marched from Betasing to Ampati town, district headquarters of south West Garo Hills, seeking return of peace and end to violence.
The attack on the village has created a fear psychosis in the entire area even as police have made some breakthrough with the arrest of a GNLA cadre on Saturday whom they claim was involved in the attack.
Security forces nabbed GNLA cadre David Ch Momin alias Bilchang (29) resident of Gasuapara border village two days ago. He was picked up from Purakhasia border village while serving demand notes on businessmen and traders.