Meghalaya CM Sangma Appeals For Communal Harmony After Killing Of NGO Activist In Garo Hills
The deceased, Dilseng M Sangma, was a member of a Garo Hills-based NGO called ACHIK
Guwahati: Tension prevailed in West Garo Hills of Meghalaya after the tragic killing of an NGO activist with Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma on Saturday appealing to people to maintain peace and communal harmony.
The deceased, Dilseng M Sangma, was a member of a Garo Hills-based NGO called ACHIK.
Police on Saturday said that they have arrested three persons from a particular community in connection with the incident which occurred near the Rajabala village in the district.
Condemning the incident, Mr Sangma said the police arrested the trio following multiple raids conducted at different locations. He further stated that the police were working tirelessly to find the rest of the people involved in the incident.
Meanwhile the District Magistrate has also called a meeting with civil society members on Saturday afternoon to form a peace committee and discuss all related matters in detail.
The chief minister said, “I would like to urge the citizens of Garo Hills to ensure that peace and communal harmony continue to prevail. There may be a lot of news circulated on social media. Please filter them carefully.”
He asserted that all those involved in the “heinous crime” would be brought to justice.
Security sources said that an incident of killing the NGO activists took place on Friday= afternoon, when a group of youth had gone to a site near the Rajabala village to “inspect” an alleged illegal stone quarry. When the members of the group were returning in some vehicles, they were stopped on the way by another group. Soon, an altercation followed leading to an attack.
While most members of the first group managed to escape, two came under a severe attack which left them critically injured. They were rushed to a local hospital but one of the succumbed to injury.
Superintendent of Police Abraham T Sangma said that the police were investigating the case. He appealed to people to maintain peace and communal harmony.
The Garo Students’ Union (GSU), Central Executive Committee, condemned the “savage and cold-blooded killing” of Dilseng. It demanded the immediate identification, arrest, and prosecution of all those involved. The local MLA Mizanur Rahman Kazi also condemened the incident. “We are doing everything possible to maintain law and order and brotherhood among us. We are committed to ensuring safety and security to all citizens,” he said.
