At least five security personnel have been injured after a mob surrounded the Chief Minister of the Indian state of Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma’s office, late Monday (July 24). This comes after chaos erupted outside the CM office where hundreds had gathered demanding the creation of a winter capital for the northeastern state.&nbsp;

<h2>About the violence</h2>

The CM was reported to be unharmed while the mob continued to surround his office complex, located in the state’s Tura. Sangma was taken indoors as the protesters blocked the roads and posed a security threat.&nbsp;

Subsequently, the protesters began pelting stones, some of which hit the CM office’s windows. In turn, the police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. “At least five police personnel were injured when the crowd attacked the CM’s secretariat at Tura in the evening today,” the CM secretariat told news agency PTI.&nbsp;

The situation is under control but tense, said the CM’s office. Section 144 was imposed in Tura town with immediate effect. The Meghalaya CM also announced Rs 50,000 ($611) as ex-gratia payment for injured personnel and said that their medical expenses will be borne by the state government.&nbsp;

<h2>What preceded the protest?</h2>

According to the police, protesters were ostensibly seeking winter capital before a large number of outsiders entered the crowd gathered and began throwing stones at the office. There were also reports of tyres being burnt in several places across the town.

Prior to the violence, the Meghalaya CM was in the midst of holding a key meeting with the representatives of protesting civil bodies – Achik Conscious Holistically Integrated Krima (ACHIK) and the Garo Hills State Movement Committee (GHSMC).&nbsp;

The groups, which were invited by Sangma for talks, had been on a hunger strike and had demanded that Tura be declared the winter capital of the state. According to officials, CM had engaged in “peaceful discussion with agitating organisations for over 3 hours at Tura” during the day, reported PTI.&nbsp;

<h2>CM addresses the incident</h2>

The Meghalaya CM called the incident “very unfortunate,” in a video statement after the violence and said that the discussions with the protest leaders were almost over when they “heard some agitation from outside,” adding that “it seems that the pelting of stones was initiated by people who were not part of the agitating groups.”&nbsp;

“I asked them not to create any scene out here. Their leaders (of the protesting NGOs) went outside to speak to the people. They came back and said they did not know who these people were, never seen them before during the fasting protest,” he added.&nbsp;

Sangma also said that the leaders themselves were taking shelter inside when the violence began, as they were not able to leave. Another meeting on the issue will be held in the presence of all stakeholders, said the CM, which has been tentatively scheduled in the state capital Shillong next month.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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At least five security personnel have been injured after a mob surrounded the Chief Minister of the Indian state of Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma’s office, late Monday (July 24).

At least five security personnel have been injured after a mob surrounded the Chief Minister of the Indian state of Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma’s office, late Monday (July 24). This comes after chaos erupted outside the CM office where hundreds had gathered demanding the creation of a winter capital for the northeastern state. About the violence The CM was reported to be unharmed while the mob continued to surround his office complex, located in the state’s Tura. Sangma was taken indoors as the protesters blocked the roads and posed a security threat. Subsequently, the protesters began pelting stones, some of which hit the CM office’s windows. In turn, the police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. “At least five police personnel were injured when the crowd attacked the CM’s secretariat at Tura in the evening today,” the CM secretariat told news agency PTI. The situation is under control but tense, said the CM’s office. Section 144 was imposed in Tura town with immediate effect. The Meghalaya CM also announced Rs 50,000 ($611) as ex-gratia payment for injured personnel and said that their medical expenses will be borne by the state government. What preceded the protest? According to the police, protesters were ostensibly seeking winter capital before a large number of outsiders entered the crowd gathered and began throwing stones at the office. There were also reports of tyres being burnt in several places across the town. Prior to the violence, the Meghalaya CM was in the midst of holding a key meeting with the representatives of protesting civil bodies – Achik Conscious Holistically Integrated Krima (ACHIK) and the Garo Hills State Movement Committee (GHSMC). The groups, which were invited by Sangma for talks, had been on a hunger strike and had demanded that Tura be declared the winter capital of the state. According to officials, CM had engaged in “peaceful discussion with agitating organisations for over 3 hours at Tura” during the day, reported PTI. CM addresses the incident The Meghalaya CM called the incident “very unfortunate,” in a video statement after the violence and said that the discussions with the protest leaders were almost over when they “heard some agitation from outside,” adding that “it seems that the pelting of stones was initiated by people who were not part of the agitating groups.” “I asked them not to create any scene out here. Their leaders (of the protesting NGOs) went outside to speak to the people. They came back and said they did not know who these people were, never seen them before during the fasting protest,” he added. Sangma also said that the leaders themselves were taking shelter inside when the violence began, as they were not able to leave. Another meeting on the issue will be held in the presence of all stakeholders, said the CM, which has been tentatively scheduled in the state capital Shillong next month. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India: At least five injured after mob attacks Meghalaya CM’s office; section 144 imposed in Tura

A day after the EC granted the NPP the status of a national party, its president and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has asserted that his party would never compromise on the aspirations of northeast people, while trying to expand its base beyond the region.

Addressing the party's first northeast co-ordination committee meeting here on Saturday, Sangma said the National People's Party (NPP) aims to take part in the country's policy-making decisions and work for the voiceless and the marginalized sections.

"Our motto and mission to serve the people of northeast will always be of supreme importance, as we begin a fresh chapter to expand our footprint in new regions and strengthen our organization in the states where we already have a presence," he said.

An ally of the BJP in Meghalaya, the Sangma-led party on Friday became the first political outfit in the northeast to have earned the tag of a national party.

It has been recognised as a state party by Election Commission (EC) in four states Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and Nagaland.

"The recognition of NPP as a national party is a great achievement for the people of northeast. I take this opportunity to congratulate each member of the party, who has worked tirelessly in different states.

"It is a moment for all of us to remember the ideals of our late leader (party's founder) Purno Sangma, whose contributions have made this possible. Though he is not among us today, his ideals will live forever," the CM said.

Talking about the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, which the BJP has promised to bring into force despite massive protests in the region, Sangma said his party would urge the Centre to hold parleys with all stakeholders and build confidence among people before making a move.

"We will never compromise on the regional aspirations of the people of northeast and engage in consultations to protect and safeguard the interest of the indigenous communities," he maintained.

The 'national party' tag is a "testimony of how every member has worked for it, brick by brick", the NPP boss said.

"It is the because of collective contribution of all states, including candidates who contested and lost the polls and MLAs who won, that the party was accorded the status.

"The NPP is not just a party from the northeast, but a party purely created by the northeast to fulfil the aspiration of our people," Sangma added.

The NPP has 21 MLAs in the 60-member Meghalaya House, four in the Manipur House and five MLAs in Arunachal Pradesh. It had two MLAs in Nagaland until they merged with the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party earlier this year.

Veteran leader and former chief minister D D Lapang, who was also present at the meeting, said the party will prepare a road map to take its ideologies and vision to every nook and corner of the northeast.

"It is our responsibility to carry forward the onus of representing the regional aspirations at the national level. The NPP has remained committed and it will continue to fulfil its agenda," Lapang said.

Among others who were present at Saturday's meet were Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Joykumar Singh and legislative party leader of Arunachal Pradesh Mutchu Mithi.&nbsp;

A day after the EC granted the NPP the status of a national party, its president and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has asserted that his party would never compromise on the aspirations of northeast people, while trying to expand its base beyond the region.

A day after the EC granted the NPP the status of a national party, its president and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has asserted that his party would never compromise on the aspirations of northeast people, while trying to expand its base beyond the region. Addressing the party's first northeast co-ordination committee meeting here on Saturday, Sangma said the National People's Party (NPP) aims to take part in the country's policy-making decisions and work for the voiceless and the marginalized sections. "Our motto and mission to serve the people of northeast will always be of supreme importance, as we begin a fresh chapter to expand our footprint in new regions and strengthen our organization in the states where we already have a presence," he said. An ally of the BJP in Meghalaya, the Sangma-led party on Friday became the first political outfit in the northeast to have earned the tag of a national party. It has been recognised as a state party by Election Commission (EC) in four states Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and Nagaland. "The recognition of NPP as a national party is a great achievement for the people of northeast. I take this opportunity to congratulate each member of the party, who has worked tirelessly in different states. "It is a moment for all of us to remember the ideals of our late leader (party's founder) Purno Sangma, whose contributions have made this possible. Though he is not among us today, his ideals will live forever," the CM said. Talking about the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, which the BJP has promised to bring into force despite massive protests in the region, Sangma said his party would urge the Centre to hold parleys with all stakeholders and build confidence among people before making a move. "We will never compromise on the regional aspirations of the people of northeast and engage in consultations to protect and safeguard the interest of the indigenous communities," he maintained. The 'national party' tag is a "testimony of how every member has worked for it, brick by brick", the NPP boss said. "It is the because of collective contribution of all states, including candidates who contested and lost the polls and MLAs who won, that the party was accorded the status. "The NPP is not just a party from the northeast, but a party purely created by the northeast to fulfil the aspiration of our people," Sangma added. The NPP has 21 MLAs in the 60-member Meghalaya House, four in the Manipur House and five MLAs in Arunachal Pradesh. It had two MLAs in Nagaland until they merged with the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party earlier this year. Veteran leader and former chief minister D D Lapang, who was also present at the meeting, said the party will prepare a road map to take its ideologies and vision to every nook and corner of the northeast. "It is our responsibility to carry forward the onus of representing the regional aspirations at the national level. The NPP has remained committed and it will continue to fulfil its agenda," Lapang said. Among others who were present at Saturday's meet were Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Joykumar Singh and legislative party leader of Arunachal Pradesh Mutchu Mithi.

Will continue to serve northeast people, expand National People's Party base: Conrad K Sangma

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India: At least five injured after mob attacks Meghalaya CM’s office; section 144 imposed in Tura

Will continue to serve northeast people, expand National People's Party base: Conrad K Sangma