JIRIBAM, April 11 (JNN): Civil organisations of different communities of Jiribam along with other civil organisations of Cachar Assam and officials from the two sides convened a peace meeting at the office of the additional Deputy Commissioner Jiribam today around 2pm to facilitate return of normalcy in the area which has remained tense since some days back over an altercation between people of the two sides.
The meeting was also attended by ADC Lakhipur in Assam/ SDO (civil) TT Daulagapu, Lakhipur Circle Officer Pradip Kumar Gupta, SDPO Lakhipur Jyoti Ranjan Nath and Jirighat Police OC Narendra Pal Singh from the Assam side, and ADC (in charge) Jiribam Imoshana Meitei, additional SP Hopeson Sapam, Jiribam Police OC M Noren Singh and other officials of Jiribam.
Representatives of civil organisations from Assam who attended the meeting included NEPO president Pradip Dey, NEPO secretary Subir Sarkar, SC chairman Horeswar Dhubi, Jiri Valley Jurre president of NEPO Ananta Deb, Minority Board chairmen Haji Hayat Ali and Makabbir Ali vice chairman Jiri Cooperation Society Abdul Hoque Choudhoury, Digli Bahadur G.P Cooperation Society chairman Ajim Uddin Laskar, Lalpani Youth Club president Abdul Haque Barbhuiya, Youth Club secretary Kala Mia Laskar, social worker Pronab Acharjee, Tea youth president Dulan Rec.
Issues tabled during the meeting include why communal feelings were aroused against people of Jiribam and Cachar over some quarrel at Dibong, why the three-wheeler autos disregarded the bandh call in Dibong, and why violence was perpetrated against people and vehicles damaged at Cachar Lalpani for roughening up the autos.
It was also demanded that once the culprits who created the nuisance are arrested, the bandh in Dibong will be lifted.
Others questioned why the Muslims of Sonapur raised slogans like “Pakistan Jindabad, ISI Jindabad.”
Those from the other side claimed that a pregnant woman who was in an Auto was injured when bandh supporters attacked the vehicle at Dibong. They further demanded why Muslims from outside were not allowed entry into Dibong.
Meanwhile, after listening to the opinions and issues tabled from all sides, ADC Lakhipur Daulagapu said what has happened has happened, but it is time to go back to normalcy and live peacefully together like in the past.
Jiribam ADC Imoshana said the series of unwanted incidents arising out of a single incident is unfortunate.
He said the incident has affected the peaceful coexistence of the different communities in Jiribam and neighbouring Cachar, however, the people should now try to bring peace and settle the issues amicably.
Addl SP Hopson said the authorities and the people are trying to bring normalcy in the area and will soon succeed.