Shillong, March 30: The Nangrimingin A’chik Dol (NAD) leader Francis Marak has alleged that the death of activist Dilseng Sangma is linked to kidnapping of his youngest sister by some indigenous people.
Earlier, it was reported that the ACHIK activist, Dilseng was killed while he and others were inspecting illegal stone quarries in Rajabala.
Speaking to reporters here on Monday, Marak said that the youngest sister of Dilseng was kidnapped by non-indigenous people who, according to the pressure group, are illegal Bangladeshis.
“Our people went to the house where the she was kept ,and they managed to take her out. After she was rescued, they targeted Dilseng who was part of a group protesting against illegal stone quarry”, Marak said.
He condemned alleged atrocities and intimidation by illegal Bangladeshi intruders in Garo Hills.
Marak demanded evictions, border tightening, and an NIA probe into recent violence.
“We demand a thorough and impartial investigation into the activities of illegal Bangladeshi intruders and their role in inciting communal unrest, immediate eviction drives against all illegal settlers occupying tribal lands in Garo Hills, strengthening of border security and strict enforcement of laws to prevent further illegal infiltration and protection of the constitutional and customary rights of the indigenous tribal communities under the Sixth Schedule”,Marak said.
Stating that the killing of Dilseng and alleged POCSO and gangrape cases in Chibinang are examples requiring NIA investigation.
The organisation called for probes into mosques, illegal quarrying in North West and South West Garo Hills with NGT enforcement, and ex-gratia for Dilseng’s family.
“We demand NIA investigation into the murder of Late Dilseng M Sangma, the POCSO cases committed by the illegal Bangladeshis in Chibinang and the gangrape cases in Chibinang area where the girl was raped continuously by 5 illegal Bangladeshi intruders whole night and later the girl was paraded naked in the market the next morning, for NIA investigation in all the mosques of Garo hills, to stop the illegal stone quarry in the North West Garo Hills and South West Garo Hills and NGT implementation,” Marak said and asserted that murderers of late Dilseng must be hanged.
“We call upon the state government, central government, and all responsible authorities to act decisively and uphold justice, ensuring that the rights and dignity of the indigenous communities are not compromised,” he said.
According to Marak, the illegal intruders have not only encroached upon the land and resources belonging to the indigenous people but have also systematically attempted to disturb the peaceful coexistence of communities by instigating communal tensions.
“Such deliberate acts of provocation, violence, and fear-mongering are a direct threat to the constitutional, safeguards and the traditional rights of the Scheduled, Tribes under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India” he said.
MarK said the NAD firmly believes that the recent communal flare-ups are not spontaneous but are a result of calculated attempts by these intruders to destabilize the region and weaken the unity of the indigenous population. The silence and inaction of the concerned authorities in effectively addressing illegal infiltration and its consequences have further emboldened such elements, he said .
“We also strongly condemn the unwarranted arrest and harassment of NGO leaders and innocent individuals who have been at the forefront of protecting the rights, identity, and land of the indigenous people. These leaders have been unjustly targeted while raising legitimate concerns regarding illegal infiltration and its socio-economic and cultural impacts,” he said
