Arrests made on the basis of evidence not political affiliations: Meghalaya CM Sangma

CM Sangma expressed deep regret over the fact that even the ambulance carrying injured people was attacked by the mob

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today categorically stated that whatever arrests are being made or will be made will be on the basis of evidence. He clearly mentioned that the investigation into the violence of July 24 in Tura which according to Meghalaya DGP LR Bishnoi was to cause physical harm to the CM, is not being done based on a person’s political affiliations or the organisation or party he or she belongs to but, on the basis of hard evidence and proof alone.

“I don’t look at political affiliations. I am purely going by the evidence of who was present there. From day one I have not mentioned anything about political parties and I refrain from doing that because that is not the way I would like to look at the situation. I am very clear, anybody who will be arrested or will be picked up will be purely on the basis of evidence. What happened was not correct when we had gone with a positive intention, with the concerns of the people,” a visibly unhappy CM Sangma told reporters today in Shillong, 4 days after the unfortunate incident.

Expressing his deep regret at the incident, CM Sangma, recollecting how the mob targeted an ambulance carrying injured people said, “What upset me even more was that when the ambulance was going to drop the injured to the hospital, even that ambulance was attacked”.

Complementing the police for their appropriate handling of the situation without causing any injury or casualty, CM Sangma said that within two hours the police and the security personnel brought the situation under control without using any excessive force. “I was very particular and from the beginning I told the SP and the others that we will not use excessive force, we are not going to use weapons. Use minimum force required like tear gas and at the most lathi can be used but no lethal weapon to be used.”

The CM narrated how the NGO leaders too were stuck inside and were provided security to reach their homes safe and sound.

Responding to the Trinamool Congress (TMC)’s demand for an independent inquiry into the incident, the CM said that the government will wait for the initial report from the police and the completion of the inquiry process before taking any further action.

Expressing concern about the incident, the CM said that this is a matter of concern for all because “this is not the way how our society has been.”

So far 46 arrests have been made in connection to the violence.

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