SHILLONG, JAN 23: Civil society organizations in Garo Hills region on Friday submitted suggestions to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, urging the government to address the underlying factors that led to the recent brutal murder of ACHIK member Dilseng M Sangma on January 9.
The groups, including ADE, APEX Committee, AYWO, and FAF, expressed concern over the growing tension between tribal and non-tribal communities, citing poor governance, unchecked illegal immigration, and failure to curb illegal activities like stone mining and timber smuggling.
“Any encroachment into our lands is usually perceived as an existential threat to our community,” the letter stated, highlighting the need for robust coordination between government departments and law enforcement agencies.
The organizations have suggested the need for establishing a coordination mechanism between departments to tackle illegal activities and said, “These are the factors why we feel that a robust mechanism in terms of coordination between the Land and Revenue , Home Department, District Council Affairs Department, Forest and Environment Department , Autonomous District Councils, District Administration and the District Police Force be constituted so as to act swiftly and effectively in a time-bound manner to uphold the laws of the land which in turn, shall help in maintaining a peaceful atmosphere and will help promote mutual respect among the tribal and the non-tribal communities.”
Urging the government to set up a Meghalaya Police battalion camp in sensitive plain belt areas, they stated, “We have all witnessed the situation in the plain belt areas of Garo Hills is very tense at the moment and any sensible person can understand that even a small spark can ignite a box full of explosives. We also understand that bottled up emotions especially fuelled by decades of frustration can explode at any moment and once that happens, it will be very difficult to contain the situation without the presence of a respectable number of police force in such regions and thus, it is our suggestion that a battalion camp of MLP be constructed and made functional in such sensitive areas where there are massive presence of two differing communities whose relationship is unpredictable.”
The groups have also demanded the government to provide Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia to the victim’s family besides constituting of a Special Investigation Team to investigate the murder of Late Dilseng M. Sangma.
“It has been our intent to request the Government of Meghalaya to constitute a Special Investigation Team to investigate the murder of Late. Dilseng M. Sangma as the matter has become very sensitive and a team of dedicated police officers should investigate the matter. Further, it will serve as a sign of confidence building measure. However, Sir, we have come to understand that an SIT has already been constituted and as such, we are grateful to the Government of Meghalaya and the concerned authorities for this good initiative,” the letter stated.
Also Read: After Rajabala unrest, West Garo Hills administration steps up peace outreach
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