in the city on Thursday. (ST)
SHILLONG: As many as 130 home guard personnel travelled all the way from Garo Hills to Shillong to stage an indefinite hunger strike here only to be picked up by the city police.
The services of these home guard personnel were terminated a few months ago by the State Forest Department and they claimed that despite assurance by the Chief Minister himself, they were yet to be reinstated.
The agitating home guards were picked up from the parking lot near the Additional Secretariat and taken to Sadar PS. The home guards reached the city at around 5 am and were seen proceeding towards IGP.
Speaking to reporters, leader of the agitators, U. Marak, said that that they are firm on holding the indefinite hunger strike despite the government’s attempts to restrict the protest. Stating that the State Government should immediately address their problems, he claimed that Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and other authorities had assured to take up their cause but to no avail.
It may be mentioned that 225 Forest Home Guard Volunteers whose services were terminated on June 25 by the Divisional Forest Officer, Garo Hills Division, have submitted a memorandum to the Commandant of Home Guards, West Garo Hills, appealing for re-instatement.
Most of the Forest Home Guard Volunteers were deployed with the Forest Department at Dainadubi Range with effect from June 1, 1996, while others had joined later on subsequent orders.
When contacted, SP (City) Vivek Syiem said that the personnel will be sent back to Garo Hills on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, the GSU has condemned the arrest of the agitating home guards. The students’ body has also asked the government to absorb the aggrieved personnel at the earliest.