TURA: The meeting between top officials of North Garo Hills district and pressure groups protesting against Monday night’s police firing remained inconclusive on Thursday.
The protesters under the banner Public Solidarity Forum – which includes members of the Garo Students’ Union, Garo Hills State Movement Committee and other student bodies as well as Mothers’ Union of Resubelpara – have demanded that those police personnel involved in the firing has to be terminated from service.
The groups also demanded transfer of the district police chief within two days, a deadline which came to an end on Thursday.
“The outcome of the meeting was not successful because public demand is for immediate action against police while the administration wants us to wait for the judicial probe report,” said leaders of the Forum after meeting the DC, S.C Sadhu, and other officials.
However, some Garo organisations have said they were sceptical about the outcome of the judicial inquiry.
Three persons were injured when police opened fire on the vehicle they were in. Police had claimed that they were compelled to open fire as the vehicle did not stop at a check point eve after the driver was signalled.
Many organisations in Garo Hills have demanded jobs for the three victims. They have also demanded government assurance that no more civilians are harassed, hurt, maimed or killed in militancy-related incidences.
The organisations are also of the view that a stricter legislation is passed in the assembly that makes police personnel accountable for transgression.
GHSMC leader Balkarin Sangma, who took part in the meeting, said forum leaders have decided to hold another round of meeting at Dekachang on Saturday morning before taking a decision on whether to wait for the probe report or stand by their current demand.
Home Minister arrives
Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh has arrived in Resubelpara town on Thursday evening to review the law and order situation and meet with both officials and leaders of the protesting groups. At the time of publication the home minister was closeted in a meeting with the leaders of various organisations.
Condemnation
Meanwhile, condemnation continues to pour in against the incident with the All A’chik Youth Federation (AAYF) from Tura demanding that Rs 10 lakh compensation to each of the victims as well as medical expenses for their treatment at a hospital in Assam paid.
The Mahindra Pickup Van Association in West Garo Hills has also strongly condemned the incident and sought that medical expenses of the victims are taken care of by the concerned authority until the victims fully recover.
