SHILLONG, DEC 20: Women rights’ activist Agnes Kharshiing has demanded for a CBI probe into the brutal attack and murder attempt on her and her aide Amita Sangma in coal belt area of East Jaintia Hills District.
Agnes, chief of the Civil Society Women’s Organization (CSWO), also suggested the state government to refrain from wasting public money by instituting an independent inquiry into the incident.
The Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy.SP) G Marshillong, who is the Investigating Officer (IO) of the case, has visited and recorded the statement of the social activist at her brother’s residence here on Thursday.
Agnes and Amita were brutally attack by a group of suspected coal mafia in Tuber Sohshrieh village in East Jaintia Hills District, just after taking pictures of coal laden trucks on November 8.
After one month of battling for her life, she was discharged from the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Science (NEIGRIHMS) on December 10.
“The CBI is a seasoned investigation agency and naturally I want the case to be handed over to the CBI since powerful people are also supporting the accused people,” Agnes said while speaking to The Meghalaya Guardian.
On the government’s decision to set up an independent inquiry, she said, “I would suggest them (government) to stop as it will only be a waste of public money.”
Demanding the immediate arrest of all the accused persons involved in the murderous attack, the social activist said, “I have also asked the IO to add more sections relating to conspiracy and abetment.”
Asked, Agnes, who is campaigning against illegal coal mining in the state, said that the brutal attack on her was a conspiracy adding there is a nexus between politician, police and the coal mafias.
“These people will not be so powerful without any backing. I want to know who is planning (the attack),” she said.
The CSWO chief also recalled that before the incident she went to the Ladrymbai police outpost to inform about the illegal transportation of coal but the excuse given was due to non-availability of police personnel.
“I also remember there was a Scorpio parked in front of the police outpost and a person sitting inside the vehicle was hiding his face,” she said adding there were also 4-5 persons detained by the police inside the outpost.
She said she then went to Kongong and on seeing there were SF10 personnel she had also clicked pictures of coal laden trucks parked along the national highway.
“From here on seeing some trucks were unloading coal at Sohshrieh, we also went there to click pictures but when we were about to move out, people have already blocked our vehicle and start attacking us,” Agnes said.
She said Hamlen Rymbai who was arrested by the police recently was one of the main persons behind the attack adding Nidamon Chullet (who is still absconding) was also present during the incident.
Maintaining that the incident will not deter her in anyway to fight against corruption, Anges said, “If God has brought me back I don’t so. I will strategize better and continue to fight against any illegalities. I cannot let down the people who have prayed so much for me.”
Stating that it is high time the state has to be clean, she said there are good people also in the system and “together we can have a team work”. She said government is not paying her but she is just helping to bring such illegalities to the notice of the authorities.
Earlier, the chief minister Conrad K Sangma had assured the family members of the two activists that the government would examine the demand for a CBI probe but however said that the government is for a judicial inquiry into the matter.
By Our Reporter
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