Author: IANS
Publication: Sify.com
Date: October 31, 2010
URL: http://sify.com/news/meghalaya-chief-minister-condemns-attack-on-temple-news-national-kk5qEnhhbga.html
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.
