Tura mob kills one, curfew imposed

TURA, JUNE 21: The fragile peace in Garo hills was shattered on Friday night when the West Garo hills district administration had to clamped curfew at around 9.30 pm after mob attacked five non locals who the crowd believed had raped an eighteen years old mentally challenged girl. Reportedly one civilian- who was yet to be identified- died and  vehicles were set ablaze at Tura market.

West Garo hills deputy commissioner Pravin Bakshi told reporters over the phone, “The situation is very tense and I have imposed curfew at 9.30 pm to try and to enforce law and order.” He also informed that a civilian is suspected to have succumbed to injuries suffered during the mob violence.

Bakshi is monitoring the situation closely and the district the superintendent of police is in the field along with magistrates trying to restore normalcy. Fire tenders have also been pressed into service to douse vehicles torched by the angry mob.

It is learnt that around 6.30 pm, a group of five labourers allegedly molested the 18 years old girl at Ganga  area of Wadanang locality in Tura.

Preliminary medical examination of the victim revealed that she bore no bruises or other injuries, but according to her statement molestation cannot be ruled out.

The news triggered off  series of violent incidents with people rushing to the place of occurrence. The mob then went on a rampage resulting in chaos.

While two of the alleged accused managed to five the mob the  slip, the remaining three were not so lucky as the angry mob thrashed them. Police had to  come to their rescue and they were immediately  taken to Tura Civil hospital for medical care.

The mob however refused to retreat and instead marched towards the hospital to try and get their hands at the alleged accused. Only the presence of heavy security stopped them from going into rampage in the hospital. Sensing big trouble the district administration immediately clamped curfew.

.

HM action

Home minister, Roshan Warjri immediately convened a high level meeting Friday night with senior bureaucrats and police officials to take stock of the incident and assess steps undertaken by the district administration to control the situation. “We are on the job and our first task is to restore normalcy at the earliest,” she stated.

Meanwhile Bakshi said all  the surrounding police stations have been directed to remain on high alert and the police are stopping entry of vehicles into Tura until the situation stabilize. – By Our Reporter