Amidst the simmering tension that has the potential to boil over following the recent violence in Ichamati, which led to the deaths of two individuals, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong today tried to put a lid on the danger by warning pressure groups and other organisations not to add fuel to the fire.
The death of two non-tribals by suspected tribals following an anti-Citizenship Amendment Act rally there has sparked fears of a renewal of communal violence that Meghalaya is periodically subject to.
After the double murder, a group claiming to represent the people of Shella Bholaganj, the Coordination and Welfare Committee (CWC) blamed the Khasi Students Union (KSU) for the crimes.
The KSU and other like-minded pressure groups then furiously attacked the CWC for its claim before police had made any arrests. (It was only today that two suspects, members of the KSU, were arrested by police in connection with the murders.)
Groups on both sides also wanted to hold protests and counter protests.
Confirming that two people have been picked up following the recent killing, Tynsong, who also holds the Home Department portfolio, warned all NGOs from adding fuel to the fire.
“My warning is simple: don’t go beyond the law as we are being guided by laws and rules,” he said.
Reiterating that the NGOs should not cross red lines, he added that the law of the land will prevail and nobody who is guilty will be spared.
Amidst the fears of deterioration in law and order, Tynsong said that there will always be challenges pertaining to law and order but the government is prepared and capable to deal with any eventuality.
