Meghalaya chief minister condemns attack on temple

SHILLONG - Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul M. Sangma Sunday condemned the grenade attack at a Durga temple in East Garo Hills district Friday.

“This is an act of cowardice by miscreants to disrupt peace and tranquility. The government will make every effort to nab the culprits,” Sangma said.

In a suspected attack by rebel outfit Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), a Chinese-made grenade was lobbed at the Durga temple in Warima Market area in Williamnagar, the district headquarters of East Garo Hills district Friday night.

However, the GNLA, which operates in the three districts of Garo Hills region, has not claimed responsibility for the attack.

“We are not ruling out the involvement of any group or miscreants behind the act. The police are on the job to find out the culprits,” the chief minister told IANS.

The floor has been partially damaged and walls have been blackened due to the explosion, but the idols inside the temple are safe, Pravin Bakshi, the district deputy commissioner, told IANS.

“From preliminary investigation, it appears to be the handiwork of the GNLA,” he added.

The opposition Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) also condemned the attacked and asked the ruling Congress-led government to ensure security of the people.

“Such attacks need to be condemned by all sections of people. It is an attempt to create disharmony among the people,” Leader of Opposition and NCP legislator Conrad K. Sangma said.

Condemning the attack, the apex Central Puja Committee (CPC) of Hindu religious organisations asked the government to strengthen its law and order machinery.

“We appeal to all sections of people to maintain peace, so that sanity prevails in the state, known for its religious harmony and tolerance,” Naba Bhatacharjee, CPC working president, said to IANS.