DIPHU, Jan 7 � The State machinery had failed to gauge the gravity of the �information� it reportedly had on the possibility of violence breaking out in Karbi Anglong district.
It has been alleged that the administration, in spite of having inputs about such evil designs, failed to take requisite measures to ensure safety of life and property.
The district administration had even convened a meeting in June 2013, in which apprehensions over some anti-social elements trying to create tensions between people belonging to the Rengma and Karbi communities, were expressed.
The meeting, which was chaired by the Deputy Commissioner and attended by the then Superintendent of Police BB Chetri, however, turned out to be a �flop� with very less participation by representatives from different tribes and communities.
Representatives from the Karbi Students� Association (KSA) however attended the meet, which was held at the Circuit House. A few weeks later, reports of the KPLT issuing a letter to villagers in certain pockets to persuade the members of the Naga Rengma Hills Protection Force to lay down arms, also did the rounds.
This effected an undercurrent of tension and several meetings were held among the headmen of both Karbi and Rengma villages. About 200 villagers were even shifted to a makeshift relief camp. A few weeks later however, they returned to their villages.
Talking to this reporter, L Engleng, president of KSA (Engleng faction) said, �During the meeting we suggested to the DC to invite representatives from all the communities and not just Karbis, as it was related to formation of a peace committee to thwart any effort to create tension among different communities.�
�I am sure that the administration had specific inputs. Had the Government kept a constant vigil, the recent spate of violence could have been averted,� he said.
