Shillong, July 27: The arrests in Tura violence case stood at 46 on Thursday.
West Garo Hills SP Vivekanand Singh Rathore said four persons identified as Rakmen G Momin, Kezar Marak, Tengsrang A Sangma and Jericho Marak were arrested on Thursday.
Out of 46, the number of arrested women is 7.
With the improved situation, the West Garo Hills District Magistrate has withdrawn the restriction under section 144 CrPC from 5 am on Friday.
The Voice of the People Party (VPP) has said lapses of the police led to the mob attack at the chief minister’s office (CMO), Tura on July 24.
“Without any doubt I can say there were lapses on the part of the police department. They must have gathered some information that the mob is preparing to attack the chief minister, especially having heard the statement given by the DGP that it was a pre-planned that they have organised all these kinds of things to resort to such steps. So obviously, they should have prevented it, they should have reinforced the police personnel not to allow the mob to get that opportunity to create such an incident,” VPP chief Ardent Basaiawmoit told reporters.
“We condemn the incident outrightly and we should not encourage our youth to resort to violence,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home Prestone Tynsong ruled out independent probe into the incident as demanded by TMC leader Mukul Sangma.
He also viewed the incident as politically motivated.
“My calculation is very clear since most of the members, who were arrested, belong to some political parties, it seems the incident was politically motivated. It is a political agenda it seems. It is not the agenda of Khasi Jaintia or Garo, it is a political agenda of some political parties. Though, I can’t come to a conclusion like that but let the investigation do all the details then only I will be able to know exactly”, Tynsong said.
He also criticised Mukul for alleging that the district police have reduced itself to an instrument of political bosses in the government.
