HT Bureau
DIPHU, Oct 17: The people of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong observed the 20th National Mourning Day on Friday, to commemorate the loss of 41 lives at Charchim-Prisek in West Karbi Anglong on October 17, 2005.
The commemoration was observed under the banner of Charchim/Prisek National Mourning Day Observance Committee.
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The infamous incident occurred during the Karbi-Dimasa ethnic clash in 2005. On that ill-fated morning of October 17, 2005, alleged Dimasa radical group ambushed the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) bus coming down from Jirikending at Charchim-Prisek in West Karbi Anglong and massacred 41 men, women and children.
The miscreants also burned down the bus and entered Charchim village, which is near to the place of incident and torched down several houses. They killed 15 more people in the village.
To commemorate the day the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) has declared a holiday, to allow family members and relatives to pay their respects to the deceased family members.
Like every year the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of KAAC, Tuliram Ronghang; Chairman, KAAC Raju Tisso and Deputy Chairman, Avijit Kro and MP Amarsing Tisso offered floral tribute and prayers at the memorial column in at Charchim/Prisek Memorial Park. The family members and relatives of the deceased also offered prayer and lit candles at the Memorial Column.
There were also the Executive Members (EMs) of KAAC, D. Uphing Maslai, Mongolsing Timung and Rina Terangpi and Member of Autonomous Council (MACs) and leaders of various social organisations including Karbi Cultural Society, Karbi Lammet Amei, Hima Longri Ser Hongthom Peklar Amei; students and youth organisations joining in the commemoration.
Speaking to the media the CEM said, “Till today the grim pictures of the shocking and horrific incident flash back in my memory. Soon after the incident, I myself along with the former KAAC Chairman, George Millik reached the spot and helped the victims in rescue work.”
Demanding justice for the victims, the CEM said, “After I became the CEM, I took up the matter with the President of India, Prime Minister, Governor of Assam and Chief Minister for constituting a CBI inquiry into the incident and awarding punishment to the culprits. But it is regrettable that till today justice has been denied.”
The CEM informed that from the CEM Discretionary Fund KAAC has provided Rs. 5 lakh as a one-time financial assistance to each of the victim families.
As requested by the affected villagers of Charchim/Prisek land has been allotted at the place of incident for a memorial park. Open stage and meeting hall and street lights have been provided.
The CEM also said Rs. 3 lakh will be allotted for the same observation to be conducted at Kheroni, where the victims were buried.
