Catholic schools, colleges to remain shut on Feb 20

TURA: The Garo Hills Catholic Union (GHCU), Diocese of Tura has decided to keep all Catholic schools and colleges in Garo Hills closed on Wednesday as a mark of protest and condemnation against the recurring attacks and dacoities on Catholic Parishes and institutions in Garo Hills and to demand from authorities the immediate arrests of the culprits.
The union also appealed to authorities of all other schools and colleges from the region to show solidarity and support the cause by closing their respective schools and colleges on the same day.
Earlier, armed dacoits forcibly broke into six Catholic Parishes in the span of a few weeks in the process looting the parishes and assaulting priests in charge. Taking advantage of the darkness during load shedding hours, the dacoits had targeted the parishes at Dawagre, Chokpot, Dalu, Garobadha, Tikrikilla and Samanda.The incident was condemned by many people inclucing Bishop of Tura, Rt. Rev. Andrew R Marak has condemned the attacks on churches in the Garo Hills and has requested the Meghalaya home minister and the police department to intensify the night patrolling and take all necessary measures to protest the life and property of the people and the churches.