Tura, Jan 23: In an effort to restore normalcy and further strengthen peace and communal harmony following the recent Rajabala incident, a second formal peace meeting was convened on Friday at the Tura Circuit House. The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills, Vibhor Aggarwal, and attended by the Superintendent of Police, West Garo Hills, Abraham T. Sangma, along with senior district officials.
The meeting brought together a wide cross-section of society, including representatives from religious bodies, social and youth organisations, community leaders, and civil society groups. Prominent organisations present included the Central Puja Committee, Tura Mosque Committee, Senior Citizens’ Forum, Tura Mothers’ Union, and several other social and youth bodies from across the Tura region.
Addressing the media after the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner stated that the primary objective of convening the second peace meeting was to address the prevailing undercurrents of volatility and ensure the safety and security of all citizens. He emphasised that maintaining law and order and preserving communal harmony remain the top priorities of the district administration.
Deputy Commissioner Vibhor Aggarwal described the discussions as fruitful and noted that valuable feedback received from community representatives would play a crucial role in preventing similar situations in the future. He stressed the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring peace and urged all sections of society to work together in the larger interest of the district.
The Deputy Commissioner also issued a stern warning against the spread of rumours, misinformation, and unverified content on social media, stating that fake news has the potential to further escalate tensions during sensitive situations. He appealed to the public to verify all information through official and reliable sources, including verified news channels, before sharing it further.
To facilitate public verification and prevent panic-driven decisions, the Deputy Commissioner informed that emergency contact numbers of all police stations have been made available, and citizens are encouraged to contact the nearest police station to ascertain the ground reality before taking any action.
The administration, he added, is working in close coordination with religious and community leaders, who have been actively conducting localised peace meetings in different parts of the district to calm the situation and reassure the public. Their role, he said, is vital in discouraging emotional or impulsive reactions and reinforcing messages of peace and restraint.
Simultaneously, district authorities are closely monitoring social media platforms and ground-level developments to identify any potential undercurrents that could disrupt peace. The Deputy Commissioner also mentioned that similar peace meetings are being held in other parts of the district as part of a broader strategy to restore normalcy.
Highlighting the importance of joint efforts, Vibhor Aggarwal reiterated that sustained cooperation between the police, district administration, religious leaders, and civil society is essential to maintaining peace and stability. With strengthened police presence and continued dialogue with stakeholders, the administration remains optimistic that the region will witness a swift return to complete normalcy.
The meeting concluded with a collective resolve to prevent the spread of rumours, promote harmony, and uphold peace across West Garo Hills.
