Tura, April 20: Six drowning cases and a road accident death in just one single day in Garo Hills over celebrations of Easter Monday have shocked the entire region and the state. The manner in which people have indulged in irresponsible behaviour endangering their lives and those of others while taking part in uncontrolled celebrations has raised a huge concern in society.

It is also an eye opener to many as to where such celebrations of Easter Monday are heading towards. This celebration is a man made event that was never endorsed by the churches of Garo Hills, nor the government or civil society.

In fact, the Garo Baptist Church and even the Catholic Church had long back called upon Christians to end this practice since there is no such celebration called Easter Monday. The church appeal worked for a few years, but gradually, over the last few years, people have returned in a celebratory mood for that day, and its results are now showing in the tragic events.

The deaths of so many people, injuries to many more in road accidents caused by drunk driving or fights and brawls under the influence of alcohol have returned the spotlight on this unrecognised celebration.

It has also brought pain and suffering to many families who have lost their loved ones.

Scenes of angry brawls and fish fights with young boys flashing daggers and khukris with threat of attack on their opponents at picnic spots, assault on innocent passerby by drunk youth, teenage girls found drunk and unable to stand, high speed and uncontrolled driving leading to accidents and injury, these were the kind of scenarios witnessed across many places in Garo Hills during Easter Monday celebrations.

These scenes, caught on camera and widely shared on social media, have brought shock at the scale of the uncontrolled celebrations.

Never before has Garo Hills witnessed rowdy events on such a scale as was witnessed on Easter Monday, this year.

More than the fist fights and drunken brawls, it is the shocking number of deaths that have occurred from drowning during picnic celebrations.

Five teenagers and a young man died at picnic spots, while the seventh victim was a three year old boy who accidently fell into a fish pond while playing in Dalu.

The tragic accidents and their victims 

In East Garo Hills:- Niksrap T Sangma (16 years) from Gondenggre village under Jengjal police station, West Garo Hills, who drowned in the Simsang river while enjoying in a picnic at Rongkem (Samanda), East Garo Hills. His body has still not been found.

Also read : Boy missing in Simsang during Easter Monday picnic 

In West Garo Hills:- Lingkash M Sangma (13 years) belonging to Sampalgre village under Dadenggre civil sub-division of West Garo Hills. He slipped and fell into the strong water currents of the Galwang river at Nawal Dari in Selsella where he had gone for a picnic with friends. His body has been retrieved by divers.

In South West Garo Hills district:- Dreyant Sangma (16 years) of New DengA’si village near Damalgre went for a picnic at Wa.a Wari in Ganol river but drowned after he got pulled by the powerful water currents. His body was also found on the same day.

South Garo Hills district:- John Chenian R Marak (17 years) belonging to Eringgre village of Baghmara went with 11 friends on motorbikes to the famous Anginma Wari fish sanctuary in Siju region for Easter Monday picnic. They are said to have consumed alcohol after which John entered the water but never surfaced again. His body was found deep inside the water only on Tuesday.

North Garo Hills district:- Senja D Shira (28 years) of Chitukona (Damas) had gone to the Manda river in nearby East Garo Hills for an Easter Monday picnic when he drowned on Monday afternoon. His body was the first among all the victims to be recovered first.

Also read: 2nd death from drowning on Easter Monday

A 3-year-old boy drowned to death after accidently falling into a fish pond while playing in Dalu.

Motorbike accident

Diganto Rabha, a 19 year old youth, was badly injured after being hit by a speeding motorbike at Shyamnagar on Easter Monday night in the Phulbari region.

Seriously injured, Diganto was rushed to Phulbari CHC hospital but died a few hours later. The motorcycle driver Silman Marak and pillion rider Kraibirth Marak escaped death with injuries and are admitted to the hospital.