Shillong, Mar 13: A FIR has been filed with the South Garo Hills police against former MLA/MDC Esmatur Mominin for alleged inflammatory speech and incitement that led to violence in the Garo Hills region.
The complaint, filed by social activist Greneth M. Sangma, claims that Mominin’s statements created significant communal tension between the Garo and Muslim communities in the West and South Garo Hills Districts.
Sangma said the former legislator visited Tura to file his nomination for the upcoming Garo Hills Autonomous District Council election. During this visit, a reported altercation occurred at the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
“Following this incident, the accused returned to the plains belt areas where he addressed a public gathering. During the said address, the accused allegedly made statements portraying the events in Tura in a manner that carried strong communal undertones. These statements were reportedly capable of provoking hostility and mistrust between members of the Garo community and the Muslim community. The speech is understood to have been widely circulated and discussed in the region, thereby aggravating an already sensitive situation,” he said.
Sangma said the fallout from Mominin’s speech was grave, with reports of violent clashes in Chibinang and surrounding areas. These disturbances included loss of life, arson, and vandalism of commercial properties, prompting the authorities to impose a curfew and dispatch security forces, including the Indian Army, to restore order.
The social activists sought action against Mominin under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including those promoting enmity and public mischief.
