TURA, Nov 29 - National People�s Party (NPP) has condemned the killing of two civilians by the army in Meghalaya�s North Garo Hills.
The condemnation came after a party delegation led by its working president Conrad K Sangma met the families of the victims at Rajasimla village, near Kharkutta on Friday. The party has assured the families to take up the matter and seek justice.
�We demand a judicial probe be immediately constituted and compensation of Rs 10 lakh each released to the bereaved families�, said James Sangma, party spokesperson.
�This trigger-happy attitude of the army is precisely the reason why NPP is thoroughly opposed to the imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Garo Hills�, James added.
Alphius Momin, a school teacher from Rajasimila and Sweetbirth D Marak, a vendor who sold P-form challans at Dainadubi check gate were gunned down by the army belonging to Rongjuli�s Gorkha Regiment when the the duo were on their way home. The army later owned up the killings calling it a case of mistaken identity.
Although the army is authorised to operate within 20 km inside Meghalaya territory for counter-insurgency operations, yet it is mandatory to inform the local police and take a local policeman as a guide. In the case of Wednesday�s killing, neither was the police informed nor did the army take along a police guide in its operation. Kharkutta LMV Drivers and Owners Association has also strongly condemned the brutal killing.
