Tura, July 26: Following the large-scale mob attack on CM’s mini secretariat in Tura at around 7.30 PM on Monday evening with the violence spreading to other parts of Tura town later, West Garo Hills police have been able to identify, track down and arrest 36 individuals within 48 hours, including some big names in the political circle.

These 36 people were allegedly involved, directly or indirectly, in planning and instigating the attack on the CMO Tura.

Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma was having a peaceful meeting with NGOs and pressure groups that were on indefinite hunger strike, when vested interest groups gheraoed and began pelted stones at CM’s Mini Secretariat (also referred to as CMO Tura). As the security personnel tried to defend the CMO Tura, 18 of them were injured. Left with no resort against an overwhelming unruly mob, police had to fire tear gas shells to disperse them.

This stand-off went on for over 3 hours before the area could be cleared. However, when the injured police personnel were being taken to Tura Civil hospital in an ambulance, their vehicle was fiercely attacked by a group of miscreants. Timely arrival of reinforcements ensured that the security personnel did not receive further harm and were safely taken to the hospital.

While all this unfolded, CM Sangma stayed inside the CMO, overseeing the situation. The CMO had been turned into a control room, with the CM getting all the intel and situation updates. He went back to his residence only by 9:50 PM when the situation had calmed down.

In the analysis based on solid intel, taking into factor the people, situation and place, it came to light that there was a genuine conspiracy to physically harm the Chief Minister, who had left the security of the circuit house to travel to the CMO Tura, which was adjacent to the campsite of the protesting NGOs.

Police went into full gear after this, having identified the chief perpetrators through video recordings and eye-witnesses.

Till the filing of this report, 36 people had been arrested by police.

Here is a list of the accused key perpetrators belonging to political parties in police custody so far:

Belina M Marak and Dilche Ch Marak: The first major leaders to land in police net were Belina M Marak and Dilche Ch Marak, both BJP Mahila Morcha leaders, late on Monday night. Police teams chased and nabbed them from the venue as the mob had begun attacking allegedly on their instigations.

Richard Marak: The next big name is of Richard Marak, TMC’s youth leader. He was arrested on Tuesday by Tura Police on charges of hatching the plan to attack the CM.

Although he was not at the meeting venue, he allegedly conspired in sending the mob led by TMC goons to the CM’s mini secretariat. Before joining TMC, Richard was the Youth Congress Chief of Meghalaya. He is also a close aide of former chief minister and TMC leader Dr. Mukul Sangma. Richard had unsuccessfully contested against Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma from South Tura constituency in the 2023 assembly elections.

Jackson A Sangma: Jackson A. Sangma was also arrested on Tuesday but his arrest had an additional piece of information associated which other arrested persons did not have, he is a National People’s Party (NPP) member! Not just that, he was even present in the meeting chamber between CM Conrad Sangma and NGOs led by ACHIK and GSMC.

Though Jackson identified himself as NPP, the party has issued statement on Wednesday, disowning him as NPP worker.

His arrest has put the social media on fire as no one had expected one of NPP’s own to attack the CM.

Salseng R. Marak: He is one of the heavy weights caught in the case and belongs to TMC. Police was looking for him from the moment violence broke out as he was identified as one of main accused in instigating the mob, and was present outside the meeting venue.

His pics went viral for allegedly delivering an inflammatory speech that riled up the mob further. He is also accused of urging the protestors to burn down the ACHIK campsite and target police and the delegation holding talks with the CM. Police had been searching for him vigorously and a tip-off led to his arrest from Damalgre by a special police team on Wednesday. He is from Selsella and had contested the MDC elections of the GHADC unsuccessfully from Siju-Baghmara area of South Garo Hills reportedly on an UDP ticket. He had also applied for a Congress ticket to contest from Selsella in 2023 Assembly elections but was denied the ticket. After that, he joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Sengbath D Sangma: Another major arrest on Wednesday was of Sengbath D Sangma, who alleged put up a viral social media post calling for an uprising and to attack the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma’s home in Tura, asking people to lay down their lives like in September 30, 2005, when 9 people from the region fell to the bullets of police during a violent protest over bifurcation of MBOSE office.

Jaynie N. Sangma: Another major name to land in police custody is the well-known women activist from the region, Jaynie Ningring Sangma of Rongkhon.

She had been arrested for making statements in social media that police say fuelled the unrest on Monday evening. Based on a series of WhatsApp posts put up in a group called Debate Hours, one post, that has gone viral, is about a grenade being lobbed. In the series of posts, Jaynie is constantly in communication with another woman identified as Rakhie Sangma.

Besides the above names, who have considerable clout and wield political influence, police have made more arrests. These include: Mebi R Marak, Galchi M Sangma, Jebina G Momin, Rikkanchi Ch, Marak.

Police said there are more people on the run and will be arrested soon, irrespective of their stature and party affiliations, as they are leaving on stone unturned to nab all those that tried to turn the peaceful town of Tura upside and unleash a trail of terror.

Also Read: Tura Violence: Man who called for uprising and attack on CM Conrad’s home arrested

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