ADE defers bandh, reprieve for Garo Hills

FROM OUR STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, March 30: The Association for Democracy and Empowerment (ADE) has deferred the Tuesday’s 12-hour bandh in the five districts of Garo Hills to April 7, even as it made clear that the decision was taken on Monday after considering the fincial year ending and the complication related to it, which may directly or indirectly affect the economic development of Garo Hills. The ADE submitted a letter conveying the decision to the Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills Pravin Bakshi on Monday afternoon. While the initial decision taken by the ADE to call a bandh is viewed as a retaliatory tactics after policemen vandalised its office in Tura town on Friday night, the ADE said, “ We are deferring the bandh and not entirely dismissing it.”

“The bandh call represents the voice against all police atrocities and not against the isolated case of the ADE office,” stated the letter, adding, “We seek justice against all atrocities committed against the people of Garo Hills”.

Moreover, the ADE also stated in the letter that it is not satisfied with the claim of the district administration and the police department that action has been initiated against the culprits, as no mes has been released yet and there has been no proof about the alleged vandals in uniform vandals.

The ADE also referred to the alleged fake encounter on March 4 that led to the death of an innocent villager Sengberth Ch Marak at Rumba A’ding village of West Garo Hills as one such issue that the administration and the police department have remained silent.

However, the police reiterated that one police constable has been suspended and a departmental proceeding has been initiated against the other who were said to have vandalised the ADE office.