TURA: Tura town went into a total closure for two hours on Wednesday afternoon as traders and business organizations downed their shutters to express solidarity with the family of Late Balsan Marak who died under mysterious circumstances on Tuesday morning while in judicial custody.
The twenty-year-old deceased had been arrested by police on the May 13 along with two others, including the teenage son of social activist Jaynie Ningring Sangma, in connection with a case relating to the illegal detention and torture of twelve young girls by the social activists.
After his arrest he was remanded in judicial custody by the district sessions court and lodged in the Tura jail.
His sudden death has led students and social groups to demand for a judicial probe and action against police which has been accused of being involved in the youth’s demise.
Tura’s shops and business houses were closed for two hours from 3-5 pm on Wednesday, by a conglomeration of NGOs comprising of the GSU, FKJGP, AYWO and ADE to show solidarity with the affected family.
The Garo Students’ Union has also announced a protest boycott of classes in all the schools and colleges throughout the five Garo Hills districts on Friday.
“Friday’s protest will be solely for schools and colleges in which students will boycott their classes in protest over the custodial death,” informed GSU leader John Miltu Sangma to The Shillong Times.
Meanwhile, the custodial death issue is turning political with Garo Hills strongman and NPP president Purno A Sangma deciding to move the Union Home Ministry on the incident.
“I condemn the incident and I shall pursue the matter with the Ministry of Home Affairs,” said Sangma to media persons.
Meghalaya Government has already instituted an inquiry to be headed by Commissioner of Divisions, Peter W Ingty.
Meanwhile, the NPP has demanded immediate resignation of the Chief Minister and the Home Minister saying that both should take moral responsibility for the custodial death.
In a statement issued here on Wednesday, NPP spokesperson James Sangma said the party condemns the death of Balsan Marak who died while in police custody due to excessive injuries and inhuman torture.
“The Police department, which is there to serve and protect the lives of citizens of Meghalaya, has ironically become life-takers,” James said while demanding immediate removal of the West Garo Hills Superintendent of Police for his role in the death of Balsan Marak.
According to James, many cases of this nature have been taking place in Meghalaya, which is due to the lack of sensitization amongst police personnel, adding it is unfortunate that while an incident of such a serious nature has occurred, the Chief Minister is camping in Delhi, showing a complete lack of concern for the people of the State.
The NPP has also demanded adequate compensation to the family of the victim.