New Delhi 5 May 2006

Following media report of killing of at least 11 students and a number of others being injured in police firing in Tura and Williamnagar districts of Meghalaya on 30th September 2005, the National Commission asked the State Chief Secretary for this comments on the matter. The State Government informed the Commission that an amount of Rs. 5 Lakh as special financial assistance has been paid to the family of each of those killed in the police firing. This amount was in addition to the ex-gratia payment of Rs. 1 lakh. The Commission was also informed that Rs.10 lakh had been sanctioned by the State Government for meeting the hospital bills of those injured.
As per the news item published in The Pioneer dated 1st October 2005, at least 11 students were killed and upto 90 injured in police firing at rallies in Tura and Williamnagar districts a day earlier. The report said the firing was unprovoked. The Commission took cognizance of the matter on 4th October 2005, and sought comments from the Chief Secretary, Meghalaya.
Following this the State Government constituted a Commission of Enquiry, under the Commission of Enquires Act, 1952, headed by Justice (Retd) T.C.Das. As per the report of the State Government the rallies in both the districts were organized by the Garo Students' Union to oppose plans by the State Government to shift the headquarters of the Meghalaya Board of Secondary Education (MBOSE) from Tura to Shillong. On 29th September 2005 the District Administration of West Garo Hills decided not to allow a public rally scheduled for the next day in public interest and withdrew the permission granted earlier with prior intimation and announcement to all concerned. The Williamnagar district administration also promulgated prohibitory orders. However, at both the places a large crowed gathered the next day and did not disperse despite the warnings of the District Magistrate's concerned. The crowd became violent and pelted stones resulting in juries to the Magistrates and a number of police personnel. The Police used teargas followed by lathic charge. This however failed to disperse the unlawful assembly. The police ultimately resorted to firing, which resulted in the death of nine people, and at least 40 others were injured, the report said.
In the case mentioned above the Meghalaya Government reported that police had to open fire when teargas and lathicharge failed to disperse the crowd. Further the State Government instituted an enquiry into the circumstances, which led to police firing and also paid ex-gratia compensation to the next of the deceased and those injured. The Commission considered the report of the State Government and held, in view of the appropriate action taken by the State Government no further intervention by the Commission is called for.

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