TURA: Fifteen years have passed since the biggest tragedy unfolded in Garo Hills when armed police opened fire on protesters in Tura and Williamnagar leading to the death of nine people, mostly students, during an agitation on the MBoSE issue, the 30th September Victims Solidarity Forum has expressed anguish over the failure of successive governments to give justice to the families who lost their near and dear ones.
It was also the first time in over a decade and a half that a public condolence and memorial programme to commemorate the sacrifices of the September 30 police firing victims could not be held due to the pandemic.
“We have touched 15 years since the government set up inquiry commissions but the reports were never made public or taken up even in the cabinet or assembly. No justice was provided to the families who lost their loved ones. Instead those who perpetrated this crime were rewarded with promotions. It is a total let down for the people,” a disappointed Chairman of the solidarity forum, Manseng A Sangma, said during the lighting of candles at the memorial cenotaph in Tura Chandmary field on Wednesday evening. ) Members of the forum along with student organisations of Garo Hills offered a small prayer service, lit candles and laid flowers at the cenotaph to remember the departed.
Similar event was also held at Williamnagar Rongrenggre school playground where five people were shot dead during the agitation on the same day. The violent incident of 2005 which claimed the lives of altogether nine lives had shook the whole region as well as the state.
While four innocent people had lost their lives in Tura, five others were killed in Williamnagar as police fired indiscriminately upon a mob at both places, who were protesting against alleged attempts of bifurcation of the state education board. Since the firing incident, memorial services have been held every year at Chandmary playground in Tura and at the Rongrenggre Government School Playground in Williamnagar.
The Inter Denominational Memorial Church Service for the Martyrs’ could not be held this year in either of the two venues due to the pandemic. However, the Forum leaders’ met the victims’ families and paid a visit to the respective graveyards where the deceased were laid to rest to offer floral tributes and prayers.