Garo Hills incident a blot to Meghalaya: Wansuk
SHILLONG: Several Garo pressure groups and NGOs took to the streets here on Saturday condemning the sensational killing of a 35-year-old woman in Chokpot by GNLA militants.
The NGOs, during a silent protest march at Khyndailad, observed that the State Government had failed miserably as far as controlling the deteriorating law and order situation s concerned.
The protest march was organized by the AIGU, GSU and other Khasi Hills based units of Garo organizations.
Speaking to media persons, GSU Khasi Hills zone secretary, Zikku Balgra N Marak said that the State Government must hold peace talks with the militant outfits to restore normality in terror-ravaged area.
Different NGOs with placards and banners expressed their grief and anguish at the heinous murder of Josbina Marak in Chokpot.
“The incident is condemnable especially in a matrilineal society,” Marak said adding that the Centre should intervene to take care of the law and order situation in Garo Hills.
“The situation is in Garo Hills very tense as police are killing people in the name of militancy while the ultras are also doing the same (killing people),” he said.
Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP from Shillong Wansuk Syiem has condemned the killing of the 35-year-old woman in Chokpot.
In a statement issued here on Saturday, Syiem termed the incident as inhuman and barbaric and a blot to Meghalaya.
She said that in the matrilineal system, where women enjoy special status and responsibility, it is unthinkable that such a savage act could be perpetrated.
“The cruel act needs to be condemned outright,” Syiem said.
“From what I have read, the woman ran a tea shop near her house and in such a remote village as Chokpot, she may have hardly made any money to buy a mobile phone, let alone use it to pass on information to police,” she added.
The MP hoped that police will bring the culprits to book as quickly as possible.
The Meghalaya Peoples Human Rights Council (MPHRC) also condemned the merciless killing of Josbina M. Sangma, by suspected members of the GNLA and termed this as “a gruesome crime against humanity and a clear violation of humanitarian law.”
“We are deeply shocked by this cruel and inhuman killing and condemn the perpetrators for showing total disregard for the dignity of a human being who wants to live in peace” said Dino D.G. Dympep, Chairman MPHRC.
