TURA, Sept 3: Two among three top leaders of the ACHIK organization, wanted in connection with the July 24th attack on the mini secretariat in Tura during chief minister Conrad K Sangma’s meeting, have been arrested today from Samanda region of East Garo Hills.
ACHIK and Garoland State Movement Committee leader Balkarin Ch Marak was found hiding in a house in the village of Bansamgre, on the old Tura-Williamnagar road, during a very early morning raid on Sunday launched by West Garo Hills police with support from East Garo Hills police.
He was produced before a judge and sent to two days police custody.
His arrest, after 39 long days, comes after another ACHIK leader, Labenn Ch Marak, was arrested on August 17th. Laben is a former DSP and civil service officer of the state government.
Only ACHIK general secretary and lawyer Bernita R Marak remains absconding among the three wanted leaders.
All three have been booked under the stringent and non bailable Unlawful Activities Prevention Act that gives police 180 days time to complete their investigation.
Previously, the trio tried to avoid police arrest by seeking an anticipatory bail from the Meghalaya High Court. Their bail application was rejected and the three went into hiding.
Balkarin Marak is the Co-Chairman of Garoland State Movement committee while Labenn Marak was adviser of ACHIK. Both of them along with Bernita Marak had participated in an indefinite hunger strike to demand winter capital of the state in Tura.
Accepting their demand to hold a discussion at the chief minister’s mini secretariat cum commissioner of division’s building, next to the venue of their hunger strike, the chief minister cancelled the earlier proposed meeting at the circuit house and arrived at the mini secretariat on the afternoon of July 24th.
But, barely had discussions begun that the crowds outside became agitated, fueled by rumors from vested interest groups, and the mob soon turned violent indulging in widespread stone pelting and attacks, both on the mini secretariat, police and government officials not sparing civilians vehicles or pedestrians also.
The close to three hours stone pelting and arson attacks left a large number of police personnel injured, civilians as well, and multiple vehicles, including police gypsies and fire brigade trucks being put on fire by the attackers.
