SHILLONG/ TURA: West Garo Hills DC Pravin Bakshi on Thursday denied the allegations of NGOs that the district administration played a biased role by calling a meeting of only non-tribal businessmen on the eve of the strike in Tura town that was called to protest against the death of a teenager in a clash at Rishipara.
The organizations led by GSU had failed to evoke much response during Wednesday’s shutdown of business and trade in Tura as majority of the shops remained open fearing legal action.
Bakshi said the notice for the meeting and information about the directions of the High Court banning strikes was addressed to all shop owners and that “anyone is free to inspect the names of the traders, pastors and senior citizens who attended the meeting”.
“I would like to issue a strong rebuttal on the totally false allegations of the conglomeration of NGOs that has misinformed and claimed that on October 18 only non-tribals were called… It is frivolous to suggest that only one section of traders was called,” said Bakshi on Thursday.
He, however, said the attendance list could not be shared with the public as the persons concerned could be targeted by the pressure groups “as always has been the case in the past”.
Bakshi said the agenda of the meeting had been to inform and sensitise the people and traders about the government’s directions in compliance with the High Court order banning bandhs and shutdowns by militant and other organisations.
“The meeting was called and an FIR was lodged as per clear and specific instructions of the higher authorities in the State and in respectful compliance with the High Court,” stated Bakshi in his clarification.
“The traders who chose to keep their shops and establishments open on October 19 reposed their faith in the judicial system, criminal justice system, the Constitution and law of the land though all of them deeply mourn and condemn the unfortunate loss of life in the case,” the DC added.
He further said the security cover in Rishipara was for the safety of several innocent people, children and women living there and they have already been attacked with a petrol bomb and stones.
He also mentioned that security cover in Rishipara is for the safety of the several innocent people, children and women who also live there and had nothing to do with the violence and yet were still attacked with a petrol bomb and pelting of stones.
“Action as per the law has already been taken and a magisterial inquiry was ordered on October 15. A police officer has already been suspended. Eight accused have been arrested already,” he said.
Action against the doctor for alleged negligence can only take place after the magisterial probe that will focus on this aspect first and furnish a preliminary report. “It is now through press releases of the pressure groups that people are being threatened with incendiaries and inflammatory references. Tura is a haven of peace where people of all castes, religions and communities live in mutual harmony and peace and the peace of the town should never be compromised by inciting violence and creating situations, which make innocent and peace-loving people vulnerable,” Bakshi said, adding that in the last couple of days, several people called up the DC office to ensure peace while simultaneously expressing their support for all the steps taken by the administration.
