When police is mute spectator, violence in Shillong seems to be state- sponsored: Sushmita Dev

way2barak, Nov.2: “In a sorry state of affairs, violence was unleashed on the streets of Shillong in broad daylight on Friday. When all these happened, police remained as a mute spectator. So if the police is going to stand and watch the violence happening in front of their eyes, then the important question here is- is it state- sponsored?” This was alleged by TMC MP Sushmita Dev, while speaking with journalists on Wednesday. She also added that instead of politicising the issue, legal action against the guilty is the need of the hour.

Sushmita Dev came out in sharp criticism of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sanga. She said, “He is a very young Chief Minister. People have high hopes from him. But if this is going to be the situation of law and order and the security of the common people cannot be ensured then he should look into the matter and take appropriate steps so that justice is done. Whenever such instances occur, different MLA’s give memorandums to the Chief Minister. But unfortunately, such violent acts keep on repeating, which means that the CM of Meghalaya has totally failed to stop such phenomenon.”

“If the peaceful protestors turn violent, then it is the duty of the state police to look into it, to investigate it and bring to book the perpetrators of the crime. But when violence takes place in front of police, then I would like to question whether the Chief Minister supports such violence?” added Ms Dev. She also said, “This is nothing new. From the day, this govt has taken over, we have seen such types of violence time and again. I condemn such acts and request the Chief Minister to ensure that the fundamental rights and legal rights of the people are upheld.”

As per reports, the Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) took out a rally against unemployment from Motphran to Fire brigade. However, soon, the rally over unemployment tuned violent. Those who took out the rally were seen in some videos (viral in social media) punched and kicked passers by and those caught in the traffic jam. Some of them in the rally also covered their face with mask while physically assaulting the passers-by. The terror was learnt to have escalated near the  Dhankheti junction. In the viral videos, shopkeepers were seen to down their shutters and run for life. People on foot and also those on two-wheelers and cars were running to save themselves from the FKJGP.