A comprehensive meeting was held between numerous groups from Garo Hills and the All Assam Minority Students Union (AAMSU), among others, to reiterate the need for peace and to call on the public to reject rumours regarding the murder of three men from Assam in East Garo Hills a few days ago.
The burnt bodies of Jomor Ali, Noor Mohammad and Zahidul Islam were found in a pit in the jungle near the village link road connecting Rogu Alda, around 1.5km from National Highway 217 connecting Dudhnoi–Damra–Rongjeng–Baghmara.
Police suspect the deaths to be due to criminal rivalry between car lifters and cattle thieves. At least two of the deceased were wanted in Assam on suspicion of various criminal offences.
Today, AAMSU and the Garo Hills civic organisations and pressure groups held a meeting in Dudhnoi to address the tragic murder of the three individuals from Assam. All sides have unanimously agreed to await the outcome of the ongoing police investigation.
They also jointly urged the public to refrain from circulating rumours, videos, statements and comments related to the incident. “Such actions can only exacerbate tensions and hinder the search for truth and justice,” a statement said.
Although they had pending criminal cases against them in Assam, their alleged past actions did not justify their deaths, the statement added, and the ethnicity or community affiliation of the perpetrators should not overshadow the pursuit of justice.
“We must resist the urge to turn this tragedy into a communal issue. Blocking roads or inciting communal tensions will only hinder the investigative process and delay justice. Let us remain united in our call for a fair and impartial investigation,” it said. “We would like to urge everyone to exercise restraint and let the investigation proceed unhindered. Let us not rush to judgment or spread misinformation. Instead, let us come together as a community to support the pursuit of truth and justice for all involved.”
