ITANAGAR, Sep 10: The Galo Peoples’ Federation (GPF), Galo Youth Organization (GYO) and Galo Students’ Union (GSU) has sought Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate and arrest the culprits responsible for the mob attack on the three organisations’ leaders and their vehicles at Ledum village, East Siang district on August 17 last.

In a letter addressed to the Commissioner Home the organisations said that on August 17,

a large mob attacked members of the three organisations en route to Itanagar from Koyu Circle at around 3:40 PM in Ledum Village of East Siang District without any provocation. In the said attack, many members including GSU President, Dope Ori sustained grievous physical injuries and several vehicles were systematically damaged by the mob in a pre-planned manner.

The three organisations also expressed concern over widely circulating meeting minutes & circulars with objectionable and derogatory language towards the Galo community which openly calls for eviction of the Galos from their homes in Kora Circle under Lower Siang District and from Pasighat and other areas of East Siang District.

The FIR was lodged separately at Naharlagun PS and Likabali PS on  August 17 and August 18 respectively praying for immediate arrest of all the culprits involved in the attack. The FIRs, as informed, was transferred to Ruksin PS and the same was registered vide Ruksin PS case No. 17/2021 U/S 120B, 147, 153A, 323, 427, 504/34 IPC. However, despite registration of the case and material evidence against the accused, no arrest has been made so far by the East Siang Police, the organisations said.

Questioning the integrity and workings of East Siang Police, it said such attack coupled with repeated provocations and threats to the peaceful members of the Galo Community of Ramle Banggo (Lower Siang) and other parts of East Siang should be outrightly condemned by everyone and be seriously viewed by the State Government. There are repeated attempts by certain anti-social elements to breach the communal harmony and peace in the state and to foment communal unrest. This incident has also seriously affected the conscience of our community and most of the members are pained at repeated provocations, the organisations said requesting for constituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate & arrest the culprits responsible for the mob attack.

In other letter addressed to the Director General of Police, the three organisations have demanded disciplinary action against SP, East Siang District for failure to arrest the culprits responsible for the mob attack and also for failing to stop anti-social elements from targeting the peace-loving Galo community in East Siang.