Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday clarified that the recent arrests made in connection with the mob attack on his office in Tura were strictly based on evidence and not influenced by political affiliations. At least 46 individuals, including seven women, have been arrested in connection with the attack on the Chief Minister's Office in Tura, where four vehicles were set on fire, and 17 others were damaged. The police are investigating the matter and searching for others involved in the vandalism.
In a press conference, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma addressed the arrests made in connection with the mob attack on his office in Tura. He stated that the arrests were solely based on evidence and not influenced by political considerations. The attack occurred when Chief Minister Sangma was meeting with leaders of social organizations demanding Tura to be declared the Winter capital of the state, as PTI reported.
"We want to make it very clear that those arrested were purely based on evidence. What had happened was not correct. I had gone there with a positive intention and had never agreed to go to their location. However, thinking that it could be wrongly misconstrued and to find a way forward, I decided to talk to them," said the CM.
Denying any political motive behind the arrests, Chief Minister Sangma asserted that the investigation would be solely based on evidence. He emphasized that if any individual is found to have been involved in inciting violence, appropriate action would be taken against them, irrespective of their political affiliation.
The arrested individuals include members of various political parties, including the Opposition TMC and BJP. A senior police officer informed PTI that some of the arrested were candidates who contested elections, while others were party members and activists.
The mob attack resulted in four vehicles being set on fire, and 17 others were damaged, including official vehicles from the Chief Minister's convoy. The Director General of Police, LR Bishnoi, revealed that intelligence inputs indicated the mob's intention to harm the Chief Minister physically, with some even suggesting extreme steps like murder.
Meanwhile, TMC leader Richard Marak, a close aide of former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, who was arrested in connection with the attack, has been admitted to the Tura Civil Hospital after complaining of sickness. Richard had been under police custody for three days before being hospitalized.
In response to the arrests, former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma accused the Meghalaya police of acting at the behest of political bosses in the government. He called for an independent inquiry into the allegations and demanded that the investigation be monitored by the High Court.
