GNLA takes battle to Mukul’s bastion with indefinite closure of Ampati
SHILLONG: The banned GNLA has called for a 12-hour dawn-to-dusk bandh throughout the Garo Hills on Monday and simultaneously given a call for an indefinite closure of Ampati, chief minister Mukul Sangma’s constituency, beginning the same day.
The announcement for the protest closure has been given in connection over the recent mass murder of two families by villagers over witchcraft allegations and the subsequent killing of a Nokma’s son who was branded a militant by Tura police despite denials by the family and the villagers.
The Garo outfit has accused the police of being trigger happy and killing innocent civilians by branding them as militants and sympathizers.
It has also accused the chief minister Mukul Sangma of allegedly giving the police a free hand to violate the law and people’s freedom.
“To show our mark of respect and solidarity for those innocent victims who fell prey to police hands, and to condemn the police high-handedness powers we declare one day absolute public bandh on March 9 from 5am to 5 am” announced GNLA, joint publicity secretary Garo Mandei Ch Marak in a statement to the media.
The outfit is demanding immediate suspension of those policemen involved and also the magistrate in the incidents while calling for an independent enquiry into the two incidents.
The outfit appears to be taking the battle to the heartland of the Chief Minister by announcing an indefinite closure of Ampati constituency and warning of retaliation against those who break their diktat.
“Till the government assures and meets with our demand, no public is to be seen in any public places and roads. All shops, govt/private institutions will remain closed” warned the GNLA.
However, the militant group has decided to lift the bar on students appearing this year’s examinations at both school and college level.
“Students appearing for examinations, including from Ampati will be allowed to appear for their exams,” said the GNLA while also giving its permit for emergency services such as hospitals, pharmacies, MeECL, ambulances, milk van and individuals who may require emergency help.
The mass murder of five persons from two families by villagers of Mrigre village in Rongram has been blamed on police instigation.
The GNLA has accused police of using its overground workers to execute the murders by spreading false reports that the two families were practicing witchcraft.
“Entire village has denied any knowledge of witchcraft practice by the victims. Police suspected them to be GNLA overground workers and spread the witchcraft rumours.
Can anyone justify that a five year old handicapped will be practicing witchcraft?”, Questioned the outfit over the murder of the child along with the rest of the family.
Terming this week’s killing of a Nokma’s son at Romba A’ding village of Oragitok as nothing short of a “fake encounter” by police, the GNLA has alleged that it was connected to the Mrigre killings since the Nokma’s son, late Sengbath Ch Marak, was a close friend of primary teacher Late David Maximear .T Sangma who was one among the five murdered and buried in a mass grave during first week of January.
“Senbath knew about the threats made by police and criminal gangs to David so they killed him,” said Garo Mandei Marak.
Lashing out at the chief minister, the GNLA said, “Mukul’s govt has cheated the people of Garo Hills. He couldn’t care less who gets killed, ostracized and harassed by police in the name of law as excess power is his free gift to police.”
The rebel group also took pot shots at home minister Roshan Warjri for resigning over law and order deterioration in Garo Hills and later rejoining the cabinet even though the situation remained the same.
The elected MLA’s and ministers from Garo Hills have not been spared by the rebels in their outburst. “They have turned their backs on Garo Hills. They have betrayed their people,” said the GNLA.
The pressure groups (read NGOs) of Garo Hills are also on the receiving end of the rebels who accuse them of doing too little too late.
“NGOs are prepared to work just when somebody has lost their lives and not before it could happen,” alleged the armed group and questioned their role in taking up issues concerning the public.
“What happened to Balsan’s case, Washington case?” questioned the group regarding the alleged fake encounter in which fifty year old Labourer Washington was shot dead and branded a militant while youngster Balsan died in custody over allegations of police brutality.
