Assam ngos demand PR in Garo hills

TURA, JULY 21: The resentment against the growing kidnapping cases in Garo hills were displayed in neigbouring Mancachar Assam’s Dhubri district as protests were held on Monday in several places under Hatsingimari sub-division with civil bodies demanding for President’s rule in
Meghalaya.

At Kalapani and Diara, people came out in streets in large number and burnt the effigy of Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma. A 12-hour road blockade was staged by Mancachar Nagarik Suraksha Samitti against the plummeting law and order situation of Garo hills.
The activists burnt tyres near Mir Jhumla tomb, situated along Assam-Meghalaya border.

At least 14 traders were abducted by militants in Garo hills in the last two months. Two of them were found dead.

“We demand immediate compensation of Rs. 10 lakh for the victim’s family. Assam and Meghalaya government should work out the
compensation for the poor families, whose earning member have been kidnapped and killed by militants”, said Nazmul Haque, general secretary of Mancachar Nagarik Suraksha Samitti.

An activist Samar Chandra Paul said, “Poor traders from Mancachar and its neigbouring areas frequent Garo hills for business opportunities.
They mainly travel to different weekly markets for their business. They go to interior place with vegetables and other commodities. If
the situation continues to be alarming, our people will have no option but to abstain from going to Garo hills”
They civil bodies also submitted memorandum to Dhubri deputy commissioner Khumud Chandra Das and SP Mridulananda Sharma at Mancachar. Das has assured the activists to take up the matter with authorities in Garo hills.

“I have assured the activists to take up the matter with my counterparts in West Garo Hills and South West Garo Hills”, Das said.- By Our Reporter