A day after the incident at Garodubi which left 21 people injured, a preliminary report by the returning officer has found the Congress guilty of election protocol violation.
The preliminary inquiry was completed by the ARO of Rajabala constituency, PR Sangma, who went to Garodubi to cause the inquiry after the sensational clash between the two parties – NPP and the Congress. The report by the ARO was submitted this evening to the RO which was then sent to the CEO of Meghalaya.
As per the findings, permission for the meeting by the Congress had been given from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Rajabala HS School playground.
However after the meeting was completed, while in the process of returning home, a group of Congress supporters marched in a procession from Rajabala Bazaar through Garodubi, Magurmari, Phersakandi, Morasuti, Old Bhaitbari, Khetadowa up to Gomaijhora.
A written complaint on the procession has been filed by the NPP election agent and accordingly a formal FIR has been filed. Photographic evidence of the incident has also been filed by the magistrate.
The inquiry found the procession to be a clear violation of election protocols.
Further the report also mentioned that as a result of the group clash, 21 people were injured but none required hospitalisation. The injured belonged to both the NPP and the Congress.
The report also mentioned that four people have been arrested following the group clash with the magistrate imposing Sec 144 CrPC in the district.
The RO mentioned that a final report on the incident would be made available in due course of time.
