Tura, April 21 : After having witnessed shocking scenes across Garo Hills during celebration of Easter Monday in which five people drowned at picnic spots and multiple accidents and fights broke out, a meeting between government officials and stakeholders like mothers union, NGOs and senior citizens has decided to strictly enforce necessary steps to check the unrestricted and widespread revelry that involved public drinking and irresponsible behavior among the youth.

Also read : Boy missing in Simsang during Easter Monday picnic 

In the wake of recent incidents of drowning during Easter celebrations in different parts of Garo Hills and with a view to prevent further loss of lives during such celebrations in the future, the West Garo Hills district administration in collaboration with the Mothers’ Union, Tura, called a meeting on 21 April at the office chamber of the Deputy Commissioner where the Govt. officials, the church leaders, leaders of social organizations including the Council of Nokmas, teachers, etc. also attended.

Highlighting the need for calling a meeting, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh, informed that the district administration earlier also had called a meeting with various groups stressing on the need to discourage revelry and drinking at the picnic and tourist spots.

Also read : 2nd death from drowning on Easter Monday

Deliberating at length on the need to prevent the youth from unethical activities and behavior, the Deputy Commissioner, stressed on the need to have infrastructures like swimming pools where the children can learn swimming, football playgrounds where the youth can spend the leisure times and urged the parents and the elders to take care of the youngsters in the society.

The President of the Mothers’ Union, during the meeting raised a question, “Why so much of unrest among the youth?” and stating that recent incidents of drowning in different parts of Garo Hills was an eye opener, she sought cooperation from all concerned to come together for a better future of the region and condemned the videos of revelry that went viral on social media. Lamenting the lack of infrastructures for the youth, she also said that the union is not satisfied with the facilities available for the youth in Garo Hills.

During the meeting various suggestions like forming of committees for monitoring the schools and villages, etc. the need to check the mushrooming of liquor shops, the need to sensitize the Nokmas and village elders, the need to keep the children engaged, the need to change the mindset of the youth, etc. were made by various church leaders, the Govt. officials and the leaders of social organizations.