SHILLONG, Jan 23: BJP MP from Assam’s Silchar, Rajdeep Roy urged Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to take action against the culprits involved in the attacks on January 20 and also referred to the six-hour agitation staged by the couple from Rilbong on Sunday.
In his appeal to the CM, Roy alleged the police had not taken any action against the perpetrators of the crime.
CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing on Sunday attended the protest to expresses solidarity with the Choudhury couple.
“We strongly condemn the attack on some people. We support the couple sitting here to condemn the atrocities because violence cannot be promoted in our society,” she said.
TUR member Angela Rangad said, “We have seen from time to time there is targeted violence because there is no swift arrest and no conviction. It seems to be sort of promoting and encouraging people to do so in our society and in our state.”
Pointing out there is targeted violence against minorities, be it the Christians or the Muslims or any other community in the country, she said: “We have to remember that a society and a state will finally be measured by how they treat their minorities.”
“Enough is enough. We do not want representatives to come up with fake promises of security. There has to be security,” she added.
KHNAM legislator, Adelbert Nongrum also condemned the attack on three people by eight unidentified miscreants at Lumdiengjri.
“As responsible citizens, we need to condemn such attacks on innocent people. We cannot allow such sporadic incidents which will have a negative impact on peace and harmony,” he said.
“It is really unfortunate to see this kind of attack taking place against non-locals and even on Khasis from time to time,” he added.
Nongrum feared that these incidents may lead to communal clashes and violence.
“We have witnessed in the past how such incidents always flare-up. I urge the citizens to remain calm since we do not know which people are responsible for this,” he said.
He also urged the people not to take advantage of the situation or blame anyone since this attack was not targeted at any particular community.
Nongrum urged the police to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice.
The state Bharatiya Janata Party said it will take up the alleged attacks on non-tribals with Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma and Home Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui.
“Senior BJP leader Pawan Sharma will meet Cabinet minister and BJP leader, Sanbor Shullai and urge him to take up the issue with the Chief Minister and Home Minister,” the BJP said on Sunday referring to the Lumdiengjri assault case and the idol demolition case in Mawbah, both under West Shillong constituency.
“Such repeated crimes in the particular constituency clearly reflect there is a political conspiracy. Such an incident should be condemned by everyone as such incidents of extreme intolerance will only spread hatred,” the party said.
Terming the act as a handiwork of antisocial elements, the BJP said tighter security should be enforced in the area as it is frequented by anti-social elements, drug addicts and alcoholics.
Stating that stakeholders including the police personnel should be actively involved in curbing such menace, the party advocated that CCTV cameras should be installed in the area.
“The government should install CCTVs in commercial areas, including shops and also in apartments and financial aid should be provided or CCTVs should be provided at subsidized rates to reduce crimes in the city,” it said.