SHILLONG, October 27: Over a thousand people landed in the heart of Shillong last night to participate in a “candle-lighting-ceremony” to express their solidarity with the family of the victim, late Vikash Nandwal who succumbed to his burn injuries on Saturday morning after battling for his life for more than sixteen days in a hospital at the national capital.
Vikash Nandwal was the second victim of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) related violent incident. The first victim was one Vidya Devi Chokhani (74), the owner of M/s Satyanarayan Textile, died two days after the arson due to suffocation after the smoke filled her room above the shop which had come under petrol bomb attack on September 26 at Police Bazar in Shillong.
Meanwhile, it was an emotional evening for the Shillongites when women, men, youths, and children cutting across section of societies were seen lighting thousands of candles even as they demand that Justice be delivered to the departed soul.
The candle light ceremony also witnessed Meghalaya Home Minister Roshan Warjri who with tears rolling down her eyes lighted a candle in front of the portrait of late Vikash Nandwal. She was also accompanied by Urban Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh and Health Minister AL Hek besides officials from the district administration of East Khasi hills district.
The family members of Nandwal were also presence in the ceremony.
Speaking to NNN last night, the uncle of the victim, P Varma while expressing grieved over the loss of a loved and dear one said, “We have lost him, but I don’t want that anybody to face the same experience.”
34 years old Nandwal, left behind his parents, two sisters and wife.
“It is very much pain to describe the annex from our very own,” Home Minister Roshan Warjri told reporters.
Strongly condemning the inhumane act against an innocent person, Warjri said, “On behalf of the government, I reiterated my strong condemnation against all acts of violence perpetrated in all parts of the city and the state.”
“I appeal for cooperation from one and all and perpetrators of such heinous act of violence will be brought to booked under the provision of the law,” she said adding “We will deal with a very firm hand as per the law.”
Informing that all logistic support have been extended to the victim and family, home minister said, “Right from the time the incident took place, the government has been extending all possible steps for his treatment and we had contacted other super specialist in burn injuries in New Delhi and he was flown from Guwahati to Delhi.”
She recalled, “In fact last week when I call his father we were told that he was improving and we were thanking God. Every day we are praying for a miracle to take place,” adding
“Unfortunately, last night I got a call from his father that he was on ventilator, subsequently this morning I got this very sad news.”
Nandwal who was the son of JS Nandwal was attacked by arsonists on October 9.