KAAC to move Prez, CM seeking action against culprits
HT Bureau
DIPHU, Oct 17: The 17th National Mourning Day was observed at Charchim in West Karbi Anglong to remember those who lost their lives in a massacre on October 17 in 2005 during an attack by militants.
The militants intercepted a Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Transport bus coming down from Jirikending at Charchim – Prisek in West Karbi Anglong and carried out the massacre. In the incident 41 men, women and children lost their lives.
The Charchim- Prisek Mourning Observation Committee organised the programme at the site of the massacre at Charchim – Prisek.
Keeping aside the political and religious differences, the victims’ family members and general public participated with prayers at the commemorative stone.
Participating in the mourning day, the chief executive member (CEM), of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Tuliram Ronghang offered floral tributes to the victims.
Addressing the gathering the CEM said the KAAC has given Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the victims’ kin.
He said, “In fulfilling my promises, the KAAC has given Rs 5 lakh as compensation to each of the 41 victim family members. On the previous mourning day observation I had promised to construct an open stage, boundary wall and solar street lights at the commemorative site at Charchim-Prisek and these have been done.”
As demanded by Charchim Prisek Mourning Observation Committee, land pattas and fishery ponds will be provided to the villagers.
The CEM announced to contribute Rs 5 lakh from the KAAC to the observation committee for organising the annual mourning day.
As demanded by the Observation Committee, the KAAC has declared October 17 as a local holiday under the jurisdiction of KAAC. The CEM also said a complaint letter has been sent to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu and chief minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma for just punishment to the culprits.
The programme was attended by chairman, KAAC, Raju Tisso and deputy chairman, Ajit Kumar Dey; MP Horensing Bey and other dignitaries.
Hills Tribal League (HTL) also commemorated the day by organising candlelight vigil at Semson Sing Ingti Memorial Park in the evening hours here by lighting candles. Chairman, HTL, Saising Rongpi questioned the high court for the delay in awarding punishment to the culprits of the Charchim-Prisek incident.
Rongpi said, “For pity crimes the law and order are fast in nabbing the culprits. In the case of Charchim-Prisek where 41 lives were lost the law and order authority and the court could still not award punishment to the culprits. It is the failure on the part of the government for being unable to nab the culprits.”
