Shillong violence state-sponsored: TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev

A CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: Pointing finger at Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, the TMC Rajya Sabha MP Susmita Dev alleged that last Friday's violence on the non-tribals during the rally of a Khasi group was 'state-sponsored'. Dev, who joined Trinamool Congress after quitting Congress last year, said, Sangma being the Chief Minister couldn't overlook the incidents of violence on the non-tribals particularly Bengalis and hence he should immediately order a probe on last Friday's attacks during the rally.

It is to be noted that prior to Susmita, three MLAs from Barak Valley had raised protest against the Shillong incident. North Karimganj Congress MLA Kamalakha Dey Purkayastha had even met Meghalaya DGP and urged him to initiate a neutral as well as thorough investigation. Patherkandi MLA Krishnendu Paul wrote a letter to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to take step for NIA probe on Shillong violence. On the other hand, Sonai's AIUDF MLA Karimuddin Barbhuiyan demanded security for the linguistic minorities in Meghalaya. Silchar Congress on Tuesday burnt an effigy of Sangma to register their protest.

But Susmita Dev of TMC, the party led by Mamata Banerjee which was trying hard to make its presence felt in Meghalaya, went a step further as she alleged that Sangma was well aware of the violence but yet he remained silent. "The NPP government is sitting idle and the Chief Minister is silent which suggests that the violence was state-sponsored," Susmita said.

Last Friday, Federation of Khasi Garo Jaintia Peoples brought out a rally in Shilling to protest State government's 'failure' in providing jobs to the local youths. But the rally suddenly turned violent as some protesters started vandalizing shops owned by non-tribals. Even passers-by were beaten when police allegedly were mere spectators. The incident had sparked many protests in Barak Valley.

Susmita Dev said, every organisation had the right to register their protest against government, they could organize a rally or demonstration, but that should absolutely be in democratic and peaceful manner. The way the Khasi organisation started beating non tribals was a clear indicator of the support from the government, she alleged.

Also Read:   Meghalaya: Strict Measures to Prevent any Repetition of Shillong Incident

Also watch: