Tura, Oct 28: The first preliminary report given by the Returning Officer (RO) for Rajabala bye-election has clearly shown that the protocol for campaign was violated by the Congress after its last meeting on Wednesday (October 27, 2021), allegedly allowing its supporters to stage a procession which led to targeting of the NPP worker’s house at Garodubi which sustained major damage caused by hundreds of people pelting stones at it.

The report has been submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer, F. Kharkongor in Shillong on Thursday and in it there is clear mention of the permission given to Congress being violated after the meeting.

A copy of the enquiry report is enclosed in this story.

The preliminary report submitted by the Returning Officer mentions that permission was duely given only for a meeting of the Congress at Rajabala school playground and not for a rally. The meeting permission was from 1 PM to 4 PM.

The supporters who attended the rally instead of going home took out a procession from Rajabala bazaar to Garodubi, Magurmari, Phershakandi, Morasuti, Nayagaon, Old Bhaitbari, Khetadowa and up to Gomaijora. “The incident is a clear violation of the conditions of the above mentioned meeting permission,” the enquiry report mentions.

Why was such a big procession allowed to happen is the biggest question being asked by everyone connected to Rajabala bye-election.

The report also states that 21 people, who are said to be supporters of both the Congress and the NPP, sustained minor injuries and were discharged after administering of first aid in the hospital.

Congress playing the victim card

Shockingly, the Congress has claimed they were the target of the attack even though most of the victims are from the NPP side.

The house that was attacked and ransacked by alleged Congress supporters belongs to a member of the NPP who is also the headman of Garodubi village.

Zenith Sangma of the Congress has approached the Returning Officer and the central observer alleging that Congress workers and supporters are being targeted while their FIR against the NPP supporters is being overlooked.

But, the video and photography evidence and the fact that only one house was targeted, which belonged to the NPP, appears to reveal that it was the NPP supporters who were targeted by the Congress supporters.

Then there is also the question about how thousands of stones could be pelted at the house of Hasan Ali when no construction material was left outside the house and nearby.

Hasan Ali has said that thousands of pieces of bricks and stones landed in his house compound damaging tin roof, windows, vehicles, furniture and utensils, indicating an alleged deliberate plan of attack.

All these will be known when the final enquiry report is released on Friday.