By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Condemnations against attack and condolences poured in from all quarters on Monday, a day after NCP candidate from Williamnagar Jonathone Sangma and three others were killed in an IED blast on the campaign trail.
Political parties, individuals and social organisations unanimously condemned the “cowardly act” that has “created fear psychosis” among voters in Williamnagar and other parts of the state.
Veteran politician DD Lapang, who is the advisor to the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), expressed “deepest condolences” and sent prayers to the bereaved families.
“Let peace prevail in this time of election and also after the election in the state, let’s advocate peace. We are one and no one should divide us,” said Lapang in a statement to the media issued on Monday.
In a separate statement, MPCC president Celestine Lyngdoh and working president Vincent Pala “vehemently condemned the dastardly act”.
“Violence of any kind leading to the loss of innocent lives has no place in our society… Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has also strongly condemned this tragic loss of lives and has condoled the members of the bereaved families,” read the statement.
The all-India president of the National People’s Party (NPP), Conrad Sangma, condemning the “merciless act of killing of innocent people”, said, “It was with shock and disbelief that I learned the passing away of my friend Jonathone N Sangma and three others who lost their life in a militant attack… We will not be cowed down by fear and intimidation and we promise that we will not let their sacrifice go in vain.”
A separate statement released by Don Kupar War, the media cell convener of NPP in the state, said it was “senseless violence” and unacceptable and “we hope that the culprits will be brought to justice”.
The Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) demanded a thorough investigation. A statement from the in-charge of the party’s media cell, Londoner Sohtun, stated that the incident created a fear psychosis among the people of the state in general and Williamnagar in particular.
HSPDP called upon the people of the state to unite against “such cowardly acts”. The party also conveyed its sympathy to the families of Jonathone and other deceased men.
The Tura-headquartered Association for Democracy and Empowerment (ADE) said it was not a single case of pre-poll violence and “we’ve witnessed arms assault against current NCP State President Saleng A Sangma, MLA, Gambegre Constituency, in the previous elections”.
ADE demanded a high-level inquiry and arrest of the culprits.
“The Election Commission of India should take necessary steps to reassure the society and provide enough security for the contesting candidates,” it said and urged that the polling date for Rongrenggre, Williamnagar, “considering the sentiment of the voters”.
Other NGOs in Garo Hills, comprising GSU, FAF, AIGU and others, strongly condemned the killing. “By doing so these miscreants have tried to snatch the democratic rights of the people. The people cannot be dictated by their cowardly acts,” a joint statement released on Monday said.
The NGOs also expressed “deepest and heartfelt condolences” to the bereaved families.
In Shillong, the CSWO issued a condemnation statement. “It is shocking that after such a serious attack, no police could provide information to many media… Police should know they work for the state and are paid with public money and do not at all owe allegiance only to politicians and the public should not have to run around for collection of information,” the statement read.
“Terror threats should not be allowed to grow in Meghalaya and people should not be terrorised by anyone. Any nexus prevailing should be exposed immediately,” said Agnes Kharshiing, president of CSWO.
Ram Madhav concerned
The BJP all India general secretary Ram Madhav om Monday expressed serious concern over the law and order situation of poll bound Meghalaya. Talking to media here, he said the killing of NCP candidate Jonathone N Sangma and three others in IED blast in Garo Hills on Sunday night indicated the fragile law and order of Mukul Sangma’s government and it indicated that election under his administration was not proper. “We express our homage to the bereaved families and pray for their departed soul,” he added.
The Lok Janshakti Party Meghalaya called an emergency meeting on Monday in Shillong, chaired by state president Jamil Ahmed, and discussed the brutal killing of Jonathone. In a statement issued on Monday night, he party said it was a serious lapse of security and demanded that the centre and the state take the matter of law and order seriously. The party also supported NCP’s demand for an NIA probe.
It asked the government and the ECI to provide adequate security to leaders and candidates of various parties in the run-up to the polls. (With inputs from UNI)