Jonathone went beyond permitted areas to campaign

SHILLONG: NCP candidate Jonathone Sangma got permission to hold an election meeting only at Denamgre under Samanda Block in East Garo Hills but he went beyond and reached Sawilgre where he was attacked by suspected GNLA militants on Sunday night.
According to the preliminary report of East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Kumar, caution should have been adopted by the candidate to travel to Sawilgre since the permission was granted only to have meeting at Denamgre. Sawilgre was not on the list.
The report also states that the reasons for the visit of the candidate to Sawilgre were not known.
Earlier a media report said the villagers at Sawilgre had invited Jonathone 2-3 days before the attack to discuss their problems over supper. But when the team reached there, no villager was willing to come out.
Besides Jonathone, others who were killed included former GNLA cadre Baichung Ch Momin, resident of Budugre, Chokpot, South Garo Hills, Cribinath D Shira, resident of Chimagre Gradek and the personal security officer (PSO) Shamin Hassan, resident of Mahendraganj, South West Garo Hills.
Out of the three injured, including another PSO, who are undergoing treatment at Downtown Hospital, Guwahati, the condition of a supporter of Jonathone is critical.
Sources said what complicated the matter further was the presence of two senior surrendered militants, Baichung, the former second in command to GNLA chief Sohan D Shira, and Rupanto Marak, the former deputy commander-in-chief of GNLA. The former rebels were campaigning for Jonathone and the nature of speeches delivered by them is yet to be known.
In fact, the GNLA chief was annoyed over their surrender in 2016, according to police reports.
Police sources said since Jonathone had faced threat in the past, adequate security was provided to him since 2011.
An election official said a normal contesting candidate is usually given one PSO but Jonathone was given two.
Prior to the Assembly polls in 2013, there was similar threat from GNLA asking people not to vote for Jonathone.
Later, based on the FIR field by Jonathone, the police had charge-sheeted local MLA and Cabinet Minister Deborah Marak for her alleged links with GNLA.
Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Kharkongor said as part of confidence building measures, the Election Commission has already taken up with MHA for deployment of 10 additional companies of central forces from neighbouring Assam in view of availability of forces and geographical proximity for quick movement.
Besides this, the five companies of SF-10 forces have already been deployed and two DIG-level officers are camping in East Garo Hills till the completion of the election process.
Kharkongor has already asked all the Garo Hills DCs and SPs to be on high alert and keep vigil in the run-up to the polls.