Meghalaya assures report on firing by October

Shillong, Jun 28 (UNI) The ruling Congress led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government today assured the Assembly that the Williamnagar investigation about the September 30, 2005 police firing would be completed by October this year.

State Home Minister Robert Garnett Lyngdoh, while replying to a discussion over a cut motion moved by Independent legislator Manas Chaudhuri, said the report on the Tura police-firing incident would take sometime due to legal problems.

However, Mr Lyngdoh said, the Williamnagar investigation was nearing completion and would be 'completed by October' this year.

But, the Tura investigation was facing 'legal hurdles' and would take some more time to complete, he said.

The state Advocate General has been asked to expedite proceedings of the Tura investigations, the Home minister added.

Nine people, including women, were killed while scores injured on September 30 last year in police firing at Tura and Williamnagar over the issue of revamping and restructuring the Meghalaya Board of School of Education, which have its headquarters at Tura, West Garo Hills district.

At Tura, four people were killed in police firing and many others were injured. In Williamnagar, the district headquarters East Garo hills at Williamnagar, another five were killed in police firing and several others were injured.

Mr Lyngdoh also informed the members of the House that Rs 35 Lakh have been sanctioned so far to meet medical expenses of those injured in the twin firing incidencts.

Opposition members from Garo hills supporting the cut motion said four of those injured were being unable to pay their medical expenses at present.

However, the Home minister assured the House that the government would look into the matter and support the victims.

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