Leader of opposition Mukul Sangma said the prevailing atmosphere across all districts of Garo Hills has become tense and volatile. He said arrests must follow proper investigation and evidence-based policingShillong: Leader of opposition Mukul Sangma has urged Meghalaya governor CH Vijayashankar to order an independent probe into the “serious law and order situation” in the Garo Hills, ahead of the now-postponed Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections.In a memorandum submitted to the governor at Lok Bhavan on March 21, the former CM highlighted escalating tensions in the region due to demands from civil society organisations representing the Garo tribe to bar non-tribals from contesting in the tribal council elections.“The development that unfolded thereafter led to widespread unrest and conflict among different groups in the region. The situation escalated into violence, resulting in the unfortunate loss of two valuable human lives due to clashes between rival groups,” Sangma wrote.He said the prevailing atmosphere across all districts of Garo Hills has become tense and volatile. Sangma blamed the escalation on the failure of timely and effective govt intervention, saying preventive measures were not taken at the initial stage. He also cautioned that “plots and criminal conspiracy by vested interests, including outside forces inimical to the nation, to create communal rift and law and order problems in the region cannot be ruled out”.While acknowledging that church leaders and community elders have helped stabilise the situation, Sangma expressed concern over police action, alleging that arrests were being made in a “random and indiscriminate manner” without proper verification. He warned that such actions could lead to miscarriage of justice, aggravate unrest, and implicate innocent individuals while actual perpetrators remain unidentified.He emphasised that arrests must follow proper investigation and evidence-based policing, with citizens’ rights safeguarded in accordance with the law. Sangma recommended the constitution of an independent Commission of Inquiry to examine the circumstances leading to the crisis, investigate the causes of violence and loss of lives, identify those responsible, and fix accountability for any administrative lapses.
