Govt firm against acts that can disturb communal harmony: CM
Shillong, Aug 29: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has affirmed the government’s stand against any act to disturb communal harmony as he announced restoration of the bust of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, which was vandalised during a KSU-sponsored rally recently.
During a visit to RR Colony, Rynjah in the city on Saturday, Sangma inspected the vandalised bust and assured local community members that it would be restored soon. He sanctioned ₹5 lakh for the restoration work.
The August-19 black-flag bike rally of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) witnessed widespread violence in Shillong with several vehicles torched, vandalised and people assaulted on the streets of Shillong.
Condemning the incident and reiterating government’s stand against acts of communal disturbance through a post on X, Sangma said, “Reiterated to community members that the Government remains firmly opposed to acts of vandalism and to any forces that threaten the peace, harmony and unity of our city and our State.”
The state government has maintained that those responsible for the violence and vandalism during the protest will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Netaji had a significant association with Shillong, then the capital of undivided Assam, and inspired many young people in the region to join India’s freedom movement and the Azad Hind Fauj.
Netaji first arrived in Shillong on June 12, 1927, to recuperate after his health deteriorated during imprisonment in Mandalay jail.
Under the care of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, who later became West Bengal’s first chief minister, Netaji stayed at Kelsal Lodge in the European Ward, now Oakland, until October 18 that year.
He again returned to Shillong in September 1938 as president of the Indian National Congress and stayed at Asely Hall near Ward’s Lake.
The bust of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in R.R. Colony, Rynjah (Shillong) was installed on January 23, 2023.
