SHILLONG: Police took up three suo motu cases against leaders of pressure groups which called for the non-cooperation movement in protest against the North Garo Hills firing incident.
In a suo motu case police said that various NGOs under the banner of Solidarity Committee headed by Nikman Ch Marak, Chairman, Garo Hills State Demand Committee (GHSDC) called for a NCM in the entire Garo Hills on March 23 and 24 in violation of the Meghalaya High Court Judgment and invited penal provisions of MMPO (Amendment) Act 2010.
“During the bandh, most of the Government offices, post offices, offices for essential services like BSNL, banks, shops, hotels and pharmacy stores remained closed throughout the day. Vehicular traffic was almost nil. This brought inconvenience to the general public which is against the instruction issued by the Court and is grossly illegal,” the FIR said.
Another suo moto police complaint said the protest affected the normal life of the people in entire Garo Hills and there was visible impact of NCM call given by Nikman Ch Marak, chairman, GHSMC, Jagir Sangma, chairman, Solidarity Committee and Secretary of FAF Northern Zone, Takin Areng, president of a GSU unit and others.
According to the complaint, the bandh call restricted free movement of people and caused loss of business in commercial establishments and banks.
“The people were kept confined in their houses due to fear and intimidation. This amounts to violation of the order of High Court of Meghalaya,” the FIR said.
Resubelpara Police also lodged an FIR stating that a public meeting was organized at Dekachang in North Garo Hills under the leadership of Jagir M Sangma, chairman, Solidarity Committee, Adbirt D Shira and Balnang Sangma in protest against the incident of police firing at Resu Khaldang Road.
The other NGO leaders who attended the meeting were Tengsak G. Momin, president, GSU CEC, Takin Areng, GSU Resubelpara, Dalcheng Bira Ch Momin, ADE, Rocky Sangma, president, GSU Williamnagar and others.
“In the meeting, the accused and others spoke against the decision of the government to set up Judicial Enquiry and other steps being taken by the State Government. The speakers rejected the steps taken the government and threatened to launch agitation by calling two-day night road blockade from 7 pm to 5 am, which was to be followed by the three-day NCM if the government does not fulfill their demands.”
According to FIR, in their speeches, the two leaders Adbirt D Shira and Balnang Sangma incited the public to go against the Government and to carry out agitation.
“It appears that there is a conspiracy to deliberately misinform the general people and create law and order problem in Garo Hills region by developing negative opinion against the government,” the complaint said.
