Tura, October 1: Nineteen years ago, on this very day (September 30), the air was heavy with the smell of blood as nine men, including a teenage boy, lay motionless on the ground- fallen to police firing in two catastrophic events that unfolded at Tura Chandmari field and Williamnagar’s Rongrenggre field, after a public uprising against plans to restructure the Tura headquartered Meghalaya Board Of School Education (MBOSE).
And the wounds of that twin tragedy remain ever fresh in the memory of those who lost their loved ones on September 30th, 2005.
Commemorating the solemn anniversary, a special observance was organized at Tura and Williamnagar, by the September 30th Victims Solidarity Forum and the families of the victims.
The day began with families paying a visit to the cemeteries to offer prayers and floral tributes for their departed loved ones.
In the evening, a special service was held at the District Auditorium to honour those who fell, their families presented with a special memento mori by the Solidarity Forum.
Later, families and well wishers marched in unison from the auditorium towards the Chandmari field in Tura to place floral wreaths and light candles at the cenotaph erected in memory of their loved ones who fell to the firing.
“It was an unprovoked firing on the part of the security forces against an unarmed public over a protest against bifurcation of MBOSE. Four people died in Tura, and another Five were killed in Williamnagar, on the same day,” reminded Manseng A Sangma, leader of the September 30th Victims Solidarity Forum.
He said that the annual memorial is being held to honour the brave souls who gave their lives for the cause of protecting what belongs to Garo Hills.
“This tragic event can never be forgotten. We are going to touch 20 years of the incident next year. So, we plan to hold it on a bigger scale in 2025,” said Manseng A Sangma.
A large section of Garo Hills citizens has been on the same wavelength with the Solidarity Forum when it came to holding the government accountable for the deaths.
A judicial probe into the two firing incidents gave a mixed verdict. The Tura enquiry held the government guilty for unproved firing on the agitators, whereas, the Williamnagar enquiry held the agitated mob for the turn of events on that day.
They believe successive governments have shied away from taking action on those officials who allowed the security forces to have a free run on that fateful day that resulted in the biggest non-conflict human casualty in the Garo Hills.
It is going to be two long decades since the twin incidents unfolded and no official has ever been prosecuted.
For the families who lost their bread earners- and more importantly their loved ones, there can be no closure.
