Assam border towns march against killings and kidnappings in Garo Hills
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Shillong, July 23 2014: The border towns of Mankachar, Hatsingimari, South Salmara along with other border villages today rose up in protest against the killing of a labourer in the outskirts of the town of Tura in Meghalaya.

A 12-hour road blockade had been organized two days ago, with the protestors even burning the effigy of the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Dr.Mukul Sangma, while also asking for President's Rule within the state because of the increasing number of traders kidnapped from Assam's Mankachar and nearby areas.

The protest on Wednesday was against the rampant killings, kidnappings for money and extortion that has been rampant in the Garo Hills region and to condemn the killing of the labourer for the mere Rs.5000 that he had in his possession and was led by the SUCI, Dhubri district.

The protest march was held at the Hatsingimari super market with protestors holding banners decrying the killings and kidnappings with banners and posters.

Chants of 'Down with militancy', 'Mukul Sangma Murdabad, Garo Hills Militancy murdabad' rent the air of the protest in Hatsingimari, where the protestors gathered in huge numbers.

"We are protesting the killing of innocent traders and the kidnappings in Garo Hills.

There have been more than 5 reported kidnappings of traders from Mankachar itself in the last month, along with demand notes.

Three of them have now been killed.

The situation cannot carry on forever and the Meghalaya government has to do something about the security situation," said a member of SUCI and a protestor, Pachan Ali Mondal.

"We are demanding an end to militancy in Garo Hills so that trade can be done without fear.

While we are still hoping for some action to be taken, however, in the event of a failure of the Meghalaya government to control the situation, we will intensify our protests.

We will move to Dispur to seek security and will move to New Delhi if it is required, but the situation has to change," he added.

Instances of kidnapping and killings have been on the rise and the targets have now become traders from Meghalaya as well as neighbouring Assam.

The protestors then had a scuffle with the security personnel of police and CRPF in the SDO-Civil (Hatsingimari) office when they were denied permission to submit a memorandum to the office for action.

In failing to do so on Wednesday, the protestors are set to submit the memo next Monday.

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