SHILLONG/TURA: Condemnations poured in from all corners after a blast in the heart of Williamnagar town injured nine people, three seriously, on Saturday afternoon.
In a statement issued here later in the day, Home Minister Roshan Warjri condemned “the perpetrators of the horrific and inhuman act” even as she sympathized with those who were injured in the incident.
She asserted that the State Police will not spare any effort to apprehend and bring to book the criminals responsible for the cowardly attack. The Home Minister also said that all possible support will be given to those injured in the blast.
The State Government also condemned the “heinous act of terror against innocent civilians.”
Suspecting it to be the handiwork of the proscribed GNLA, the Government said such acts of cowardice expose the ugly face of the terrorist outfit.
“This also reflects that the proscribed outfit has no commitment towards the well-being and welfare of the local community. They only spread fear, distress, distrust and disharmony,” a government statement said.
The Government also appealed to all “right thinking people and the civil society at large to come forward and condemn the cowardly act of violence with all the strength” at their command.
The security forces shall take all possible steps to track down the criminals involved in the incident, the Government assured even as it reiterated its resolve to further intensify operations against militant outfits.
Meanwhile, political parties in the State also condemned the dastardly act.
The National People’s Party (NPP), while condemning the incident demanded the guilty be brought to book without delay. The NPP also called for compensation for the injured even as it urged the Government to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.
An NPP delegation accompanied by GHADC CEM Denang T Sangma also visited the blast site and the Tura Civil Hospital.
UDP reaction
An emergency meeting of the UDP, held at the residence of East Garo Hills district president, condemned the blast at Williamnagar market.
Blasting IED at crowded place is an act of cowardice, the UDP said in a statement on Saturday.
“What wrong did the innocent people do to cause the blast,” the UDP asked, while pointing out that the Congress-led government has failed to contain unrest in Garo Hills.
The party also asked the state government to bear the medical expenditure of those who were injured.
An act of treason, says GSU
The GSU (CEC, Tura) slammed the incident terming it as an act of treason which set back the peace overtures extended by the Central Government and the Government of Meghalaya.
“This kind of cowardly act is rendering the efforts of the NGOs to bring peace to Garo Hills useless,” the GSU said even as it urged all extremist groups to refrain from perpetrating such acts in the future.
“The anti-social entities that have carried out this act of terrorism must be caught and severely penalized as per law,” the GSU said.
The North Garo Hills Vigilance Forum also condemned the incident.
