Tura, Sept 29: A massive crowd of people representing school students from various institutions, their teachers, religious leaders, stakeholders, Nokmas and women groups took out a mammoth Peace Rally organised by the Greater Purakhasia Area Peace Committee on Wednesday morning to demand justice for two young boys who were killed by speeding stone carrying dumper trucks in the last two weeks in the area of Purakhasia.“We strongly condemn the treacherous deeds of the stone exporters where recently tragedy struck on two innocent students namely late Amsrang R. Marak, on 12th September, 2021 and late Laksbath S. Sangma on 25th September, 2021, who were both killed by speeding dumper trucks,” informed the protest leaders.As a mark of strong protest it was decided at the rally that all educational institutions will not function on September 30th as a mark of respect to the departed souls and also to protest the government’s failure to check speeding and overloading.They said that the families of the two victims are under immense grief and sorrow having lost their loved ones.

In support of the demand for justice, around 3000 people attended the rally.Five-year-old boy Laksbath S Sangma was studying at St Peter’s Sec. School in the lower section while Amsrang R. Marak, 22 years of age, was doing his studies in Shillong’s Umshyrpi College. 

The Peace rally started with a prayer and seeking of blessings of God.

In the public meeting during the rally, it was strongly demanded that the reckless driving and scuffle of exporters be treated with zero tolerance and everyone in unison raised one voice “End the loss of innocent lives! Stop Export trucks from the Region”.Church leaders and senior citizens who also attended the meeting aired out their grievances and said that the Government of Meghalaya has failed to provide the right and appropriate mechanism to check high speeding of vehicles and overloaded trucks which leads to deterioration and damage of beautiful road within the state.

“School going students, their parents who were dropping them to school are not safe at all. Therefore, in an appropriate place speed breakers should be made for the convenience of the people. It is also said that the Purakhasia people are still quiet even after seeing such a tragedy. But in the days to come, people of Purakhasia shall not tolerate and the future course of action will be much stronger than this and will stand up together for the right,” warned the leaders at the rally which was supported by the public who clapped their hands in unison.