Shillong, March 19: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said the arrests in Garo Hills are a police matter.
The chief minister, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister in‑charge Home Prestone Tynsong. briefed the Governor CH Vijayashankar on Thursday about the Garo Hills situation.
After meeting the governor, the chief minister told reporters that he was not aware about the number of arrests and the names of persons who were arrested.
“Regarding the arrests, we have been very clear on this that it is purely police department’s responsibility and based on whatever evidence and whatever rules that are there, police will take action…I am not aware of how many arrests have been made, I am not aware of who all have been arrested as it is purely a police matter and police is taking steps as per law and as per evidence. I think the SP there will be in a position to reply to this”.
The chief minister briefed the governor on the prevailing situation in the Garo Hills region arising due to violent protests against non-tribal participation in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections, which was recently revoked.
“For most of the last two weeks, I was in Garo Hills…all this while, we were able to communicate with the governor on the phone and therefore, I felt it appropriate that I must come and brief him about the current prevailing situation specially in Garo Hills and also the different incidents that led to the recent law and order situation.”So complete briefing on the entire matter was given to the governor and he is aware of the situation,” Conrad said..
He said violence in Garo Hills has subsided and life is returning to normal, though the government is maintaining close watch to prevent flare‑ups as there are some sporadic incidents once in a while.
“Normalcy returned — to a large extent it has returned and…people are now getting on with their day‑to‑day lives. To a large extent, after assessing the situation, the internet ban has been lifted. But we are carefully monitoring the situation…we are keeping a close watch to ensure normalcy”, he added.
