Sunday killings linked with Friday’s ?

Members of Mothers' Union, GSU and leader of different communities after the peace meeting in the deputy commissioner's office in Baghmara. — ***Members of Mothers’ Union, GSU and leader of different communities after the peace meeting in the deputy commissioner’s office in Baghmara on Monday.***

SHILLONG, JUNE 24: Even as the police is clueless as to who were behind the killings of the eight migrant labourers late Sunday night, but preliminary police investigation revealed that the victims were not gunned down but killed by lathies, daos and other lethal weapons giving rise to a theory that the massacre might be linked to the Friday’s Tura incident.

South Garo hills district SP Davis Marak told this website on Monday night that he does not rule out the killing to be a repercussion to the Friday’ Tura incident where an angry mob went on a rampage killing one person when rumours did the round that five migrant labourers had molested and raped an eighteen years old mentally disable girl.

Clueless as the police is of the killing of the eight migrant labourers in the remote mining village Nongalbibra in South Garo hills district late Sunday night, Marak also did not rule out the hands of militant outfit(s) but could not indicate which group was involved as he said that there more than one groups operating.

Even as police are conducting massive operation in that area to nab the culprits who killed eight labourers and injured three, the East Garo hills deputy commissioner Vijay Mantri held a peace meeting attended by the Mothers Union, ngos, GSU and leaders from different communities. The meeting unanimously condemned the killings and decided to hold a peace rally on Tuesday at Nongalbibra town after the bodies are handed over to the relatives of the deceased.

Mantri also reiterated his commitment to ensure that peace prevails in his district and that Sunday’s horrific killings in South Garo hills doesn’t have any impact on peace and harmony in East Garo hills district.

Earlier Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma condemned the killings and said the act was uncalled for and promised that those involved will be brought to book.

Police also had claimed that the killings had no connection with the Tura carnage on Friday and said the reason behind the killing was because the labourers had just received their wages in bulk and it is suspected that the militants are behind the killing.

Police said the district administration has taken all remedial measures and police officials have been rushed to the spot to verify the exact nature of the killing.- By Our Reporter