Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 368/13

ECONOMIC BLOCKADE WITHDRAWN, CURFEW LIFTED IN WEST GARO HILLS

Shillong, July 16, 2013: Deputy Commissioner West Garo Hills has informed on Saturday that the economic blockade called by the All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU) has been withdrawn with immediate effect.

The lifting of the blockade was conveyed to the Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi by the President Organizing Committee from Mankachar , who informed that after the positive response of the Meghalaya government and the district administration in the meeting at Hatsingimari on Friday, they had decided to withdraw the blockade.

Further, as a sign of normalcy returning to Garo Hills and to allow movement of night buses the district administration has also lifted the curfew in West Garo Hills totally with immediate effect. The lifting of the curfew was also in response to the demand of the people for normal life free from restrictions, Bakshi said.

Press Release No. 369/13

DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION CHALKED OUT PROGRAMMERS FOR DISTRICT DAY CELEBRATION

Shillong, July 16, 2013: With a view to celebrate the first anniversary of the South West Khasi Hills District, the Deputy Chief Minister In charge of Soil and Water Conservation Department Mr Rowell Lyngdoh along with Mr M.M. Danggo MLA met the District Administration on Friday at Mawkyrwat to chalk out various programmes pertaining to District Day Celebration.

Sharing his perspective point of views about the creation of South West Khasi Hills District, the Deputy Chief Minister emphasized that lot of efforts need to be put in to bring the requirements of the District in place and to meet the expectation of the people in all aspects.

The MLA of Ranikor Constituency, Mr M.M. Danggo expressed his gratitude to the District Administration and the Officers of the District for their efforts they had put in for uplifting the New District in all areas adding that lots are need to be done.

The Meeting was presided over by the Deputy Commissioner, South West Khasi Hills District, Mr A. Mawlong IAS in the presence of Mr E.K. Raswai MDC, the prominent citizens of Mawkyrwat areas and the officers of the District. Presiding over the Meeting, Mr Mawlong stated that celebration of the District Day should be done in a befitting manner keeping in view that all stake holders need to be involved.

After discussed deliberately, the meeting decided to invite the Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Bureaucrats, Syiems, Myntris and religious heads.

The programmes chalked out in the meeting includes Unveiling of statue of u Sngap Syiem, the Presentation of mementoes to the Chief Guest , Members of the District Demand Committee, Persons who have excelled in the field of sports, academics, social work, acts of bravery etc, Football Match between Mawlangwir XI and Football Club from Shillong which excelled in national football tournament, Cultural and Musical Evening with performances by live bands, solo artists, skit/drama, folk music, dance performance, Inter Office Badminton in collaboration with SWKHDBA, Basketball and Archery competitions, Folk music competition among local artistes including artistes from Border Areas and Warsan Lyngdoh, Health Camp, Disability Camp, Display of Ethnic Apparels and Souvenir compiling of success stories of the District in different fields will also be released during the day. A Sub Committee to oversee the presentation of awards to distinguished citizens of the District was also formed and it comprised of Shri A Mawlong IAS, All ADC’s and EAC’s, SDSEO, Shri N Syiemiong, Shri Diverland Lyngdoh and Shri H T Snaitang.

Press Release No. 371/13

JOINT MEETING HELD-CID INQUIRY INTO TURA VIOLENCE INITIATED

Shillong, July 16 2013: In a decisive step to bring back normalcy in the plain belt areas of Garo Hills neighboring Assam, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi and Meghalaya Power Minister Clement R Marak accompanied by members of the United Christian Peace Forum yesterday held a joint meeting with their counterparts at Haatsingimari in lower Assam. The meeting which was attended by Dhubri Deputy Commissioner Kumud Chandra Kalita, Mankachar MLA Javed Islam, NGOs and Civil Societies from Assam including AAMSU, South Salmara-Mankachar Unit aimed at restoring normalcy through comprehensive talks and deliberation.

During the meeting NGOs from Assam put forth various demands including adequate security for migrant workers, a high level inquiry into the incident at Tura, compensation for victims, report on the status of the two accused who are presently under police custody and corrective measures for the alleged termination of migrant workers who fled Garo Hills during the violence at Tura from their work.

Meghalaya Power Minister Clement Marak emphasizing on the need for the people from both sides to work towards peace urged them not to blow up the present situation on communal lines. He stated that the communities from Assam and Meghalaya had since ages lived in peaceful co existence and that both the sides were interdependent on each other. Marak later on behalf of the West Garo Hills District administration handed over an amount of three lakhs as ex-gratia compensation to the next of kin of Md Manehar Ali who lost his life in the mob violence that shook Tura.

Referring to the demands made by the NGOs from Assam, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi assured that adequate security measures had been made to ensure safety of migrant workers. He stated that a CID inquiry into the mob violence at Tura had been instituted and that a separate inquiry to nab rumour mongers who aggravated the situation had also been set up. Regarding the accused duo Bakshi informed that being underage they were presently lodged at the Juvenile Home at Shillong pending investigation. Terming the allegations that workers who fled Garo Hills during the unrest had been terminated from their jobs as false Bakshi said that if any employer was found guilty they would be punished. Reiterating that adequate security measure had been taken the Deputy Commissioner said that the violence in Tura was instigated by miscreants who had no aim in life and as such should not be taken into a communal context. Bakshi later welcomed anyone wanting to go back to Garo Hills and urged the gathering to work towards peace between the two communities.

Among others who spoke on the occasion were UCPF President G R Marak, Dhubri Deputy Commissioner Kumud Chandra Kalita and members of the deligation of NGOs from Assam.