TURA: Union Minister for Tourism, K J Alphonse was in Tura on Tuesday to attend a prayer service for NCP poll candidate, Jonathone N Sangma and others who were killed in an IED attack by the banned militant outfit, GNLA on Sunday night.
Churches from Tura and its adjoining areas along with NGOs including the Tura Senior Citizens’ Peace Committee held a candle light vigil-cum-service on Tuesday evening at Williampoint, Hawakhana in Tura.
Alphonse attended the service along with other party candidates from Garo Hills in which around 800 citizens from all walks of life jointly prayed for the victims of the deadly IED attack.
Hawakhana Baptist Church Pastor and Co-Advisor of the Peace Committee, Rev Frithing D Sangma who led the prayer service began by reminding those present that the brutal killing of Jonathone was an act of senselessness by people who had no regard for human life. The gathering prayed in unison for the lives that were lost as well as those surviving family members so that they are able to carry on despite their grief.
Executive Secretary of AB Krima No IV, Dilseng M Sangma read a few verses from the Bible with the theme, ‘Word of revitalization’. During the lighting of candles in memory of the departed souls the gathering unitedly sang the hymn ‘Angmung Dongbo Bakbak Sal re’enga’ (Abide by me).
Earlier during the day, Alphonse visited the family of slain NCP candidate, Jonathone N Sangma at their residence in Williamnagar to offer his condolences. Alphonse was accompanied by BJP MLA from Bokajan and Meghalaya BJP Chief, Shibun Lyngdoh.
During his visit Alphonse assured the family of all support and assured them that action would be taken against the culprits.
The BJP office in Williamnagar also held a meeting and condemned the senseless murder of Jonathone at the same time seeking the strongest of punishments for the perpetrators of the crime. It may be mentioned that Late Jonathone was the brother-in-law of Williamnagar BJP candidate, Santosh R Marak and the party has expressed shock over the incident.