TURA: The nine Garo persons who lost their lives in twin police firing in Tura and Williamnagar during protests against the alleged bifurcation of the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBoSE) in 2005 were remembered at a prayer meet at Chandmary playground on Sunday.
The 30th September Victims Solidarity Forum observes the day every year.
On that fateful day, police resorted to gunfire as protesters began to get violent resulting in the death of nine persons in two places. While four of them fell to police bullets in Tura, five others died in Williamnagar.
Sunday’s service becomes the 13th anniversary of the twin incidents.
Chairman of the forum Manseng A Sangma said the enquiry commission had blamed the then district administration but the Cabinet under the previous government did not serve justice to the victims and their families. He said the forum would approach the new MDA government soon. He also recalled late P A Sangma’s promise for a CBI inquiry into the incident and assured that it would be brought up.
He said the protesters were demonstrating democratically.
Former Pastor of Rongkhon Baptist Church, Abhik Arengh presented a short exhortation on the theme ‘Janggini Chabi’ (Key of Life) and preached from the Bible to the gathering.
Later, family members of the four victims lit torches at the site of the incident.
In Williamnagar, the occasion was observed at the Rongrenggre Higher Secondary School. The memorial service began at 2 pm and concluded with a candlelight service.
