SHILLONG, Oct 28: The incidents of assault on innocent bystanders and passers-by some masked elements during Friday’s rally in Shillong angered cross-sections of the society.
Some civil society groups and individuals were so livid that they said the court should take suo motu cognisance of the targeted violence and administrative lapses.
The United Democratic Party (UDP) said the law-enforcement machinery was found wanting during the incidents.
“The incidents are highly condemnable, unwarranted and uncalled for. The law-enforcement machinery was found wanting. It is highly unfortunate,” UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh said.
Social activist Toki Blah said the violence had nothing to do with employment. These kinds of violent social incidents drive investors away from Meghalaya, he said.
“We have identified two issues in employment. Government employment is saturated and there is no more scope. Secondly, tourism is the most potent employment source at our disposal. So, do we attract tourists by beating them up? Only an unbalanced mind can come out with such a perverted logic,” Blah said.
TUR and KAM Meghalaya also condemned the violence.
“These acts of cowardice are unacceptable. The violence not only harmed those attacked but put the citizens and passers-by, including children and women, in harm’s way,” TUR said in a statement.
Questioning the role of the district administration, TUR said, “It is also shocking that there was hardly any police presence all along the route and no action was taken even though the violence occurred while the rally was moving towards Fire Brigade ground. These perpetrators should have been immediately apprehended and not allowed to proceed further.”
The TUR further said that the events that occurred seemed to point to a pre-planned attempt at fomenting unrest and instilling fear, where the government is conveniently looking away. This government, comprising NPP, UDP, PDF, HSPDP, BJP and independents, totally failed the people, said TUR.
It agreed that unemployment is a real crisis in Meghalaya but said violence, particularly targeted violence, is not an answer, for it will accentuate the issue.
The two organisations sought immediate action against the perpetrators of the crime. They said the organizers of the rally should also be held to account.
“The courts should also take suo motu cognisance of the administrative lapses and targeted acts of violence,” TUR added.
CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing said such acts of violence are highly condemnable. She asked the government to nab those involved.
Journalist Evangelist Nicholas Khongwar of U Mawphor was roughed up by some elements while they were performing their duty during the rally. The Meghalaya Editors and Publishers’ Association (MEPA) denounced the incident.
“The fact that the group of youths did not spare the two journalists even after they identified themselves is something that is uncalled for and deplorable. MEPA, therefore, urges the organisers of the rally to immediately identify the persons involved and take them to task as per law and apologise to the two journalists…,” MEPA said in a statement.
The Shillong Press Club (SPC) condemned the “ugly incident” at Dhankheti when uncouth and unruly miscreants in the guise of rallyists heading towards Madan Iewrynghep from Motphran went on a rampage assaulting passers-by, commuters and members of the press at will.
“This action of theirs was uncalled for and highly condemnable by every member of a sane civil society,” the SPC said in a statement.
While appreciating the prompt action of the FKJGP president who apologised at the venue of the rally itself and urging its members to desist from such unruly behavior, the SPC warned trouble mongers that mischievous attempts to disrupt public peace will not go unnoticed.
“Members of the press fraternity are diligently discharging their assigned duty in the interest of the people at large and any attempts at thwarting this, will be dealt with accordingly. The Shillong Press Club urges the civil administration and police to treat this incident with utmost seriousness and deal with it in accordance with the law,” the statement added.
