TURA, Aug 1: The Garo Hills region on Tuesday morning was agog with one particular video that was aired on a local website as well as a piece of news in a daily wherein West Garo Hills the Deputy Commissioner Jagdish Chelani called the Tura Mayhem “an unplanned act”, something that all of Garo Hills had suspected.
Following the disclosure, TMC MLA from Dadenggre, Rupa Marak questioned the narrative played out by the state government as well as the district and state police administration.
Earlier, DGP Lajja Ram Bishnoi had called the incident a planned attempt to “murder” Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, allegedly perpetrated by some instigators – pointing to members and leaders of the TMC and BJP.
On July 24, angry protestors had pelted stones and damaged vehicles while causing injury to at least 18 security personnel as well as people who were at the site of the meeting being held between the CM and members of the GSMC and ACHIK.
The protestors turned violent after which the district police arrested at least 47 people, all apparently with alleged links to the “assassination” attempt on the CM. Those that were picked up by the police were TMC leader Richard M. Marak, social activist Jaynie N. Sangma, some former GNLA men along with many others for their complicity in planning the assassination.
BJP MDC, Bernard N. Marak too was named in the FIR though he managed to secure bail before his arrest.
Following the unprecedented arrests by the state police, the CM himself had defended the action asserting that all arrests have been made on the basis of evidence of their complicity while also hinting at external forces being behind the attack.
However the statement by the DC pointed to the fact that there was no evidence of a pre planned conspiracy. The video of the statement that went viral was quickly pulled down by the site owners. Evidences however still remain of what was said by the DC.
Interestingly the police are still on the lookout for more people that they believe were involved in the “assassination” attempt.
“Firstly, the incident that took place was unfortunate and condemnable. However, the DC has clearly stated that there was no evidence that the incident was a planned conspiracy to assassinate the CM while earlier the entire state and police administration has claimed this as a conspiracy to harm the CM,” Rupa said while questioning the sudden U-turn.
“If it was not a planned conspiracy, why did they say it was? They even said that liquor and money were distributed just a day before the incident, and even dragged the name of Richard Marak into this as the main instigator,” he added.
“This is a question on their intelligence reports that pointed to Richard being one of the instigators. If it was not planned then there is no way that money or liquor would have been distributed by him. If you look at most of those arrested, a similar pattern will emerge,” Rupa felt.
“It is very unfortunate that such things are happening in our state. Why were innocent people targeted and put behind bars? It is clearly visible now against whom the conspiracy was. The people named as conspirators are themselves a victim of a dangerous conspiracy,” asserted the Dadenggre MLA.
Rupa felt the only way to ensure justice in the case would be to initiate a high-level independent inquiry so that all doubts are cleared.
CM’s intervention sought on students’ arrests
GSU president Tengsak G. Momin on Tuesday urged the CM to look into the arrest of several students in connection with the recent incident of violence at the Mini Secretariat in Tura, claiming that their arrests were merely circumstantial and based on misunderstandings.
The list of arrested people includes several students of Don Bosco College, Tura.
Pointing out that the all those arrested were barely past their juvenile age whose future might be jeopardized, Tengsak requested that consideration be given to them as they have the potential to be rehabilitated as responsible citizens.
The GSU leader reminded that freedom of speech is a fundamental right and that arrests made based on social media posts was neither justice nor a necessity. Momin also sought that further arrests be kept in abeyance and that those arrested on circumstantial evidence or situation be considered on account of their future.
