Lapses on part of state police led to mob violence in Tura: VPP president Ardent Basaiawmoit

Meghalaya’s opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) president Ardent Basaiawmoit termed the violence in Tura unfortunate and said that the lapses on the part of the state police had led to the mob attack at the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma’s office (CMO), Tura on July 24.

Speaking to media, Basaiawmoit said, “It is very unfortunate that such an incident happened against the Chief Minister of the state. It should not have happened in the first instance.
He said that no matter how agitated you are but it is not right on the part of the agitators or the protesters to resort to such extreme steps where it may cause harm to the Chief Minister, he added.

When asked about possible security lapses in the incident, the VPP leader said, “I think there was a lapse on the part of the police department. They must have gathered information that the mob gathered to attack Chief Minister. They should have prevented it. They should have reinforced police personnel, and not allowed the mob there.”

When asked about his views on police tagging some of the arrestees as members of certain political parties such as BJP and TMC, he said, “People who participate in a protest they do not participate in the name of the party or any organisation. So I do not know in what way the police department drawn to a conclusion that this agitators belongs to certain political parties.”

It may be mentioned here that on July 24 night, a mob gheraoed Chief Minister Conrad Sangma’s office in Tura, pelted stones and attacked his office while he was inside in a meeting with his cabinet colleague and PHE minister Marcuise N Marak and members of NGOs hearing their demands and grievances in which five police personnel were injured.

CM Sangma said that he agreed to meet the members of A’chik Conscious Holistically Integrated Krima (ACHIK) at their convenient venue since they had some concerns about Roster System and demand to declare Tura as the winter capital.

Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that acts of violence would not be tolerated and “the law will be very firm” on any act of violence. He said that there is a line which people should not cross, and this time the line has been crossed.

Meghalaya DGP LR Bishnoi said that the attack was pre-planned and was aimed at causing physical damage to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, even go to the extent of murdering him.

So far 46 persons including TMC’s youth leader Richard Marak, and two Mahila Morcha leaders of BJP and NPP worker Jeakson Sangma have been arrested in charge of instigating the violence.

Also Read: Situation in Tura and the state is normal: Meghalaya Dy CM Prestone Tynsong