11 Killed in Garo Hills Firing by Police

11 killed in Garo hills firing, MBOSE heat refuses to die
SHILLONG, Sept 30: At least 11 people were killed and several others injured when police resorted to firing to disperse mobs which defied prohibitory orders taking out rallies in Tura and Williamnagar in Garo Hills on the MBOSE issue, this morning. However, unofficial reports put the toll at 13.
Official sources said that members of the Joint Action Committee, a conglomerate of the Garo Students’ Union (GSU) and Garo Hills Citizens’ Forum (GHCF), congregated at the Chanmari playground in Tura to hold a public rally. The situation went out of control when the rallyists pelted stones to resist the police lathi charge ordered to control the unruly gathering. To contain the situation police was prompted to open fire, killing five persons on the spot and injuring more than a dozen.
The injured have been rushed to the Tura Civil Hospital. GSU president Andreas Sangma and ASP DP Marak also sustained serious injuries during the melee.
Six people died and 28 others, including police personnel were injured in a similar incident at Williamnagar this afternoon. The incident occurred when police opened fire on protesters rallying behind the GHCF marched to Rongrengre playground remonstrating the Cabinet’s decision on the MBOSE.
Meanwhile curfew has been clamped in Tura and Williamnagar, even as additional security forces have been airlifted to Tura to prevent any fallout of the situation.
Meanwhile, State Home Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said that the police opened fire only after heavy stone pelting on security personnel and the district magistrate.
It may be mentioned here that the week-long night road blockade called by the GSU began in the three districts on September 28 while normal activities resumed after the student body called off its ten-day noncooperation movement on September 27.
The student bodies of Garo hills had made some fresh demands and asked the Meghalaya Government to incorporate them in the MBOSE report. It demanded that the office of the Director (administration) must be in the headquarters besides the office of the Director (accreditation) and Comptroller of Examination, Chief Accounts Officer and Chief Academic Officer.
"There should be no ‘Regional Office, Shillong’ but only ‘MBOSE Office, Shillong’, the GSU said and stressed there was no need of having any Director in MBOSE Office at Shillong. The same may be manned by a joint director, they have been demanding.