Amid escalating concern over the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the Garo Hills region, the Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Tuesday strongly condemned the recent incidents of violence and called for urgent intervention by authorities, warning that such developments pose a serious threat to peace, communal harmony and the constitutional rights of indigenous tribal communities.
Expressing deep concern over the fallout of the prevailing unrest, party spokesperson Dr Londoner Murphy Sohtun said the party unequivocally rejects violence in any form and urged the administration to take firm action against those responsible for instigating disturbances in the region.
“On behalf of the voice of the people party, I would like to express my serious and deep concern on the fallout of the law and other situation in the Garo Hills region, The voice of the people party do not condone and never will condone any form of violence. Therefore, as a party we strongly condemned this violence which aims and targetting the Garo Community, who are the indigenous tribal community of the region,” The VPP spokesperson said.
Stating that such acts undermine the longstanding traditions of harmony among tribal communities, Sohtun said the developments were deeply disturbing and could disrupt the fragile social balance of the region if not addressed promptly.
“These acts of violence are deeply disturbing and poses a threat to the peace and Harmony of the area. As we all know the tribal people, the tribal communities of the Garo Hills region has always upheld a tradition of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect,” he said.
Calling for heightened vigilance, the VPP spokesperson cautioned that any attempt to trigger communal tension or criminal unrest must be treated with utmost seriousness.
“Therefore, an attempt by any group to create communal tension, Criminal unrest must be viewed with extreme Consciousness.”
Urging authorities to conduct an immediate investigation and bring those responsible to justice, Sohtun stressed that decisive action was essential to restore public confidence and safeguard communal harmony.
“Therefore I call upon the concern authorities to immediately investigate on all these incidents and take strong actions strong measures against those people who are responsible for instigating violence and distrupting peace and harmony,” The VPP leader said.
Reaffirming the party’s solidarity with the indigenous communities of the region, the spokesperson emphasised the need to protect their constitutional safeguards, cultural identity and traditional tribal governance systems.
“The VPP stands in solidarity with the tribal people of the Garo Hills and also reiterate their constitutional rights and the cultural identity and their tribal governing system must be protected at all cost. The VPP also reiterated its unwavering commitment to uphold the true spirit and intent of the 6th schedule of the constitution of India,” Sohtun said
Highlighting the ongoing electoral process to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), the VPP asserted that participation in the electoral process is an exclusive right of the tribal people of the region and must be respected by all stakeholders.
“The voice of the people party firmly beliefs the participation in the Electoral process of the GHADC is the exclusive rights of the tribal people of the garo Hills and it must be respected by everyone,” he said.
Reiterating its support for the tribal communities of Meghalaya, the party said it would continue to stand resolutely in defence of their rights and identity while urging citizens to maintain peace and unity.
Sohtun further added, “the voice of the people party Will continue to stand resolutely with a tribal people of Garo Hills and tribal people of Meghalaya in safeguarding their rights and cultural identity. I urge upon all the citizens of the state to stand united in defending and safeguarding the interest and dignity of indigenous communities of the state and at the same time maintaining peace and order in the state.”
Appealing directly to the people of Garo Hills, the VPP leader urged restraint and emphasised that the struggle for constitutional rights must remain peaceful and democratic.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to earnestly request my Garo brothers to kindly refrain from any form of violence in your struggle for Constitutional rights. However, the voice of the people party will always continue to support in your fight for your constitutional rights through a democratic through a peaceful And a non-violence approach,” he said.
