TURA, AUG 13: Even as the State Bank of India (SBI) indefinite strike to protest against the kidnapping of the SBI Subodh Kumar Mishra on August 5 from Gasuapara in South Garo hills entered the fourth day and the petrol pumps strike to condemned the killing of one of the pump’s employees enter the second day in Garo hills, the West Garo hills deputy commissioner Pravin Bakshi announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs. 3 lakh to Bittu Kumar Patel’s family.
Patel, who worked in one of the petrol pumps in Garo hills, Â was shot dead by unidentified assailant on Tuesday at Bokmagre petrol pump in the outskirt of Tura.
Garo hills is reeling under killings and kidnappings which has led to the bank and petrol pumps strike. SBI official Mishra is still untraceable even after the family members paid Rs 5 lakhs to the militants who had kidnapped him. To add to the woes of the region, Patel was shot dead by unidentified gunman on Tuesday which resulted in the petrol pumps strike.
People from Garo hills are suffering due to the complete breakdown of the law and order in the region so much so that they cannot take out money from ATM because of the SBI strike and are not able to go to offices because there are very few vehicles plying because of the petrol pumps strike.
Realising the grim situation, Bakshi convened a meeting with civil society members, church leaders and senior citizens to discuss the prevailing situation in the district in the aftermath of the attack. The strike by petrol pump association in Garo hills has brought life to a standstill.
Bakshi also invited the petrol pump association to attend the meeting but it decided to skip. The meeting was attended by United Christian Peace Forum, Mothers’ Union, Garo Baptist Church, Bakdil Society and representatives of Shalom Meghalaya.
The meeting condemned the cold blooded murder of Bittu Kumar Patel, who was shot dead by unidentified assailant. The meeting expressed serious concern on the indefinite strike by the petrol pump owners association.
In a joint appeal to the petrol pump association, they have requested them not to go ahead with their indefinite strike, which is going to have a cascading impact.
All the civil societies have issued an appeal to public in Garo hills to wear black badges from August 19 to 20, as a mark of protest against the barbaric act on humanity. They have also expressed solidarity with the petrol pump owners’ of Garo hills.
Bakshi assured security to the petrol pumps if it can operate for 4-6 hours daily for the time being to ease public misery. He is personally writing a request letter to them.
Bakshi also told media persons that police have zeroed the suspect who killed Patel and operation is on to apprehend them.
In the meantime the petrol pump owners’ association convened a meeting and decided to go ahead with their indefinite strike. However, in view of the Independence Day, the pumps will be opened on August 15.
In a letter addressed to home minister Roshan Warjri the association demanded Rs. 10 lakh as ex-gratia for Patel’s family. They have also sought 24 hours armed police personnel to be deputed in petrol pumps of Garo hills for safety and smooth functioning of pumps.
The demand includes arresting the killer(s) Â responsible for the death of Patel within 72 hours.- From Our Correspondent
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