Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 310/14

GOVERNMENT RELEASE EX-GRATIA TO ASSAILANT FAMILY AT TURA

Shillong, Aug 13: The Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills, Mr. Pravin Bakshi today informed that the government will release an ex-gratia amount of Rs. 3 lakh to Bittu Kumar Patel’s family. Patel was shot dead by unidentified assailant yesterday at Bokmagre petrol pump in the outskirt of Tura.

He also convened a meeting with civil society members, church leaders and senior citizens to discuss the prevailing situation in the district in the aftermath of the attack. The strike by petrol pump association in Garo hills has brought life to a standstill. The petrol pump association were invited for the meeting. However, they failed to attend.

The meeting was attended by United Christian Peace Forum, Mothers’ Union, Garo Baptist Church, Bakdil Society and representatives of Shalom Meghalaya. The meeting condemned the cold blooded murder of Bittu Kumar Patel, who was shot dead by unidentified assailant. The meeting expressed serious concern on the indefinite strike by the petrol pump owners association.

In a joint appeal to the petrol pump association, they have requested them not to go ahead with their indefinite strike, which is going to have a cascading impact. All the civil societies have issued an appeal to public in Garo hills to wear black badges from August 19 to 20, as a mark of protest against the barbaric act on humanity. They have also expressed solidarity with the petrol pump owners’ of Garo hills. The strike has forced educational institutions to be closed down. Bakshi assured security for pumps, if it can be opened for 4-6 hour daily for the time being to ease public misery. He is personally writing a request letter to them.

He told media persons that police have zeroed the suspect and operation is on to apprehend them. The petrol pump owners association of Garo hills today convened a meeting and have decided to go ahead with their indefinite strike. However, in view of the Independence Day, the petrol pumpswill be opened on August 15.

In a letter addressed to the home minister, Roshan Warjri, the association demanded Rs. 10 lakh as ex-gratia for Patel’s family. They have also sought for 24 hours armed police personnel to be deputed in petrol pumps of Garo hills for safety and smooth functioning of petrol pumps. They have also demanded that the perpetrator responsible for the death of Patel should be apprehended within 72 hours