Meghalaya politicians advised not to travel to Assam
January 8th, 2011 - 8:45 pm ICT by IANS
Shillong, Jan 8 (IANS) Authorities in Meghalaya’s East Garo Hill district Saturday strongly advised ministers and legislators against venturing into riot-hit areas of Assam. The advisory note to all politicians was issued after Union Minister of State for Rural Development Agatha K. Sangma, her brother and Meghalaya’s Leader of Opposition Conrad K. Sangma and their father and former Lok Sabha speaker Purno A. Sangma Friday had a narrow escape from mob fury in the riot-hit areas of Assam’s Goalpara district.
Sangmas, belonging to the Garo tribes which are in conflict with their rival Rabha tribe, managed to escape unhurt from the area only after Assam Police fired few rounds in the air and lathi-charged the angry Rabha mob.
The trio were visiting the relief camp at the Chotimati after visiting the other relief camps in the riot-hit areas in Meghalaya’s East Garo Hills district.
“We (district administration) strongly advise all legislators and ministers not to go Assam without prior permission from us under any circumstances, even for travelling to Guwahati (Assam’s main city) and Shillong (Meghalaya’s state capital),” East Garo Hills district Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi said.
Around 400 people armed with lethal weapons waylaid Sangma’s convoy with burning tyres at Sotomatia village area and protested against the ongoing ethnic violence between the warring Garo and Rabha tribes.
“What has happened is very unfortunate. I hope that peace is built between both communities at the earliest,” Agatha, the youngest minister in Manmohan Singh’s cabinet, said.
Purno A. Sangma, often described as “Garo strongman”, said: “I have witnessed many a mob fury but not like yesterday (Friday). As union labour minister, I have seen mob anger from unions but yesterday it was shocking to see men and women suddenly get swayed by anger and pick up machete, spears, and axes and threaten those who came in peace.”
Over 30,000 people have been displaced from their homes so far due to ethnic clashes between Garo and Rabha tribals along the Assam-Meghalaya border.
Altogether, eight people have died in the violence that sparked off on New Year’s Day.
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Tags: advisory note, assam police, bakshi, district administration, district deputy, east garo hills, ethnic violence, few rounds, garo hills district, goalpara district, labour minister, leader of opposition, lethal weapons, Lok Sabha, manmohan singh, narrow escape, pravin, purno, relief camps, shillong