New Delhi (Fides Service) - Deep sadness was expressed by the Archbishop of Shillong Dominic Jala after 11 students were shot dead when police opened fire on protesters demonstrating in Garo Hills in the north eastern state of Meghalaya.
On 30 September students staged a protest against proposed state secondary school reforms. The police opened fire to disperse the crowds, killing 11 people and wounding at least 80. According to the Salesian news bulletin ANS two pupils at Don Bosco College in Tura were seriously wounded and died shortly afterwards.
The police version is that some of the demonstrators attacked the police and the protest turned violent. Reportedly the police first used fire hoses and smoke bombs to bring the situation under control and only opened fire when this failed. The local judiciary has ordered an investigation into the incident which provoked surprise and deep grief. The Catholic Archbishop of state capital Shillong called on people to remain calm and to treasure the supreme good of peace.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 4/10/2005 righe 23 parole 231)