Shillong: Members of the Meghalaya Linguistic Minority Development Forum gathered at the State Central Library on Friday evening. They braved heavy rain to demand peace. The crowd met to condemn the August 19 vandalism that saw the destruction of a bust of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and a statue of Swami Vivekananda.
Arts and Culture Minister Sanbor Shullai and Social Welfare Department Adviser Paul Lyngdoh showed up to support the cause. Shullai confirmed the government will pay to fix the statues. He already signed the paperwork to restore the damaged property.
Forum president Sushit Kanti Choudhury clarified that this event was a silent gathering rather than a protest. "We have not come here to protest anything. We have come here only because we love Shillong. We love Meghalaya and we are citizens of Meghalaya. This is our land and our home," Choudhury said. He noted that the recent violence does not represent the local society. He looks forward to a public celebration once the government finishes the reinstallation work.
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