TURA, Feb 3: The first day of the two-day non cooperation movement (NCM) passed off peacefully across the Garo Hills region barring a few incidents of tyre burning. However, in what is a real change, government offices reported maximum attendance after orders were issued to them to ensure their presence in offices during the agitation.
Police reports stated that the tyres were burnt prior to the start of the agitation but were removed quickly from the roads.
The two-day protest has been called against the appointment of Rakesh Sangma as Chief Executive Member of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) by various groups including the GSU, FKJGP, ADE, AYWO, FAF, NTDF, TSCF, GGU, NESO and NGEA. They are seeking his ouster from the post over his mixed parentage.
Rakesh was earlier the Chairman of the GHADC before resigning from the post and winning the election for the CEM post against former CEM, Benedic Marak.
People in all five districts mostly stayed indoors though many vehicles were seen on the roads throughout the day in Tura. Security personnel were deployed in most parts of the town.
Government offices in all five districts reported 60-70% attendance. Shops and commercial establishments downed their shutters throughout the day in all towns with things returning back to normal after 5pm.
South Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, FM Dopth said the situation was peaceful with no incident being reported from any part of the district.
East Garo Hills too reported zero incidents with Deputy Commissioner, Swapnil Tembe stating that attendance in government office was 100%. Attendance was normal in North and South West Garo Hills and there was no report of any incident from either district.