Our Bureau
SHILLONG: In protest against the custodial death of Basan Marak and Witson Sangma, fake encounter killing of Washington Marak and the murder of Josbina Marak, the Garo Hills based pressure groups have called a non-cooperation movement (shut down) in the entire Garo Hills for two days on June 12 and 13 for twelve hours each starting from 5 am.
In addition, on the issue of Josbina Sangma’s death, the GSU has decided to support the call of the Mothers’ Union and senior citizens for a public rally on Tuesday Chandmary play-ground,Tura.
The Garo Students Union said that the ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh for the family of Josbina is not enough and the Union urged the Government to provide Rs 15 lakh as ex-gratia to the family of the bereaved.
In a statement issued here on Sunday, GSU president Tengsak G Momin said that a meeting attended by prominent pressure groups on Saturday decided to call the non-co-operation movement.
Regarding the twin custodial deaths, the GSU, FKJGP ADE and AYWO during the meeting made a number of demands to the state government including the need to institute a CBI enquiry.
The pressure groups said that all the police personnel involved in the murder of Balsan and Witson should be immediately suspended while the proceedings are underway.
“An independent autopsy report should be carried out as there is suspicion of manipulation in the usual post mortem report,” Momin said.
Moreover, the pressure groups also demanded an independent judicial inquiry and there is also a need for setting up of a psychological profiling centre or a cell for the police department so that corrective help can be provided to police personnel suffering from trauma or having psychological problems.
“The government has not corresponded with us on the demands made to ensure justice to the victims and on the initiatives that could prevent further death of innocents in police custody”, the GSU president said.
The NGOs of Williamnagar led by the Garo Students’ Union have accused the state government of failing to comply with the directive given by the National Human Rights Commission that had ordered the Meghalaya government to pay compensation to the next of kin of the slain labourer Washington N Marak.
“It has been four long years since the deceased was killed in a fake encounter and yet no justice has been given which has not only hurt the sentiments of the Garo community, but also compelled us to lose all hope”, the meeting felt.
According to the pressure groups, the law needs to be upheld and the guilty needs to be punished.
The GSU Central Executive Committee had approached the Government on many occasions regarding the matter of ex-gratia to the family of Washington Marak.
“Promises were made, but all were empty. We had even communicated out sentiments to the Chief Secretary of Meghalaya W.M.S. Pariat, but in vain, the GSU leader said, adding that the promised ex-gratia should be paid to the family.
The GSU leader said that since there has been silence on the demands made by the consortium of NGOs and civil Societies on the twin custodial deaths and the issue of the murder of Washington Marak, “the GSU believes that the Government is not serious about the issues which are very urgent in nature and hence the Union has decided to call the non cooperation movement.
Candle Light Service organized for custodial death victims
A special Candle Light Service programme in memory of the Late Balsan S Marak and Late Witson M Marak the two victims of custodial deaths in Tura and Chokpot respectively was organized recently at Resubelpara in North Garo Hills by the Senior citizens, Civil Society Leaders, Peace Committee Members, GSU, FAF, JAC and all NGOs of Resubelpara and its adjoining localities in which a large number of the general public also participated.
During the programme the Pastor of Resubelpara Baptist Church, Sundaystar G Momin read out comforting messages from the Holy Scripture while also conveying his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of both the deceased.
While speaking on the occasion Adviser to the GSU, North Garo Hills Zone, Braze Nizza Momin sought justice from the state Government as per the laws enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
“We do not condemn the police for arresting any criminals. But eliminating a human being without genuine reasons is an injustice and a violation of human rights. The police authorities who are found guilty should be punished according to the law of sovereign India,” he said while at the same time expressing solidarity to the families of the victims.
Among others who spoke on the occasion included FAF leader, Jagir M Sangma.
Williamnagar NGOs condemn Chokpot execution
The combined NGOs of Williamnagar comprising of the GSU, FAF, AIGU, FKJGP, Mothers’ Federation, ICFS and AYF have condemned the brutal execution carried out on a 35 year old mother of four at Raja Ronggat near Chokpot in South Garo Hills.
It termed the killing as an act of cowardice which was so barbaric and heinous and could never be forgotten in the history of Garo Hills.
The NGOs demanded an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh from the Government to the family of the victim and also urged the government to give special interest and to take prompt actions with regard to insurgency problems in the State.
Welcoming the announcement of the UALA, LAEF, ARF and other organizations’ willingness to come in for peace talks it urged the citizens of Garo Hills to shun violence and focus on uplifting the developmental activities in the region.