TURA: The mysterious death of a kin of a Nokma from Jongkipara who went to check on an illegal stone quarry in South West Garo Hills has been revealed by the Association for Democracy and Empowerment (ADE) in a statement.
According to the association after several organizations began checking illegal stone quarries in the district, the victim Nitingson Ch Marak had also gone on his own to check on a number of stone quarries after which he went missing on February 28.
The ADE informed that a missing report was filed at the Garobadha Investigation Centre (Police Outpost) on 4th March. However, it was only on March 7 that police went into action leading to the recovery of his decomposed body near the stone quarry of one, Tapos Shah.
Suspecting that the victim might have been murdered the ADE demanded that the killers are brought to justice even as it doubted any progress or headway has been in the investigation by police to catch the culprits.
The ADE also accused concerned authorities of not checking illegal stone quarries in the district.
“How can such rampant destruction of land, forest and environment in large areas remain unchecked and not regulated? Is there a coterie amongst the District Administration, the police and illegal stone quarry operators? Are there beneficiaries of the illegal stone quarries everywhere?” it questioned.
The association also wondered as to how the police could have no information on the use of dynamites in the illegal stone quarries.
“We have heard of causalities due to use of explosives to blast rocks. However, no arrests have been made for illegal use of dynamites or its suppliers. Is there a deal made by the authorities with the illegal stone quarries regarding the use of dynamites illegally and without explosive experts?” it wondered.
