Attack on activist condemned

In a statement issued here on Friday, the North East Network (NEN) said, “The government must ensure that impunity is not granted to the coal mining mafias in the State.”

Urging the government to take strict action against the perpetrators involved in the attack, it stated, “…(the government) should do what is necessary on illegal mining activities before such attacks become an everyday incident.”

Agnes Kharshiing, who heads the Civil Society Womens’ Organization (CSWO) and her friend Amita Sangma received severe head injuries after they were attacked by a group of unidentified miscreants at Tuber Sohshrieh in East Jaintia Hills District on Thursday.

Strongly condemning the incident, the NEN said that Agnes has been working relentlessly for years to bring the issue of illegal coal mining in the State to light.

“Her work has made her a target of the coal mining mafia in the State. This attack is the second of its nature this year, with a RTI activist being murdered earlier in the year for similar work,” it stated.

On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) has also asked the government to institute either a judicial inquiry or CBI inquiry to investigate into the alleged nexus between coal mafias, police and politicians.

“The government should consider instituting either a judicial inquiry or CBI inquiry to find out whether the incident was instigated by coal mafias,  police and politicians,” BJYM president Egenstar Kurkalang said in a statement.

He also added that the government should ensure the culprits behind the brutal attack are brought to book besides providing free medical treatment to both the victims.

Meanwhile, the coal miners under the banner of the Meghalaya State Co-ordination Committee of Coal Owners, Miners & Dealers Forum (MSCCCOMDF) urged the law enforcing agencies to investigate into the unpleasant event and to act as per law.

“The Forum which is spearheading the ban on coal mining issue in the state had been impressing upon all mebers to refrain from violating the direction of the NGT and had never shield to defend any person or group indulging in illegal mining activities,” Forum’s chairman Sonny L Khyriem said.

The Meghalaya Peoples’ Human Rights Council (MPHRC) while expressing it’s strong condemnation also demanded for a prompt and fair investigation to ensure perpetrators do not get to go scot free.

“Recognized that the Police authorities have started an investigation and arrested two individuals. However, the Council stressed that the “extreme seriousness” of the attack warranted a thorough, prompt and a fair investigation by bringing the suspected perpetrators to justice in fair trials without delay and providing effective remedies and adequate reparations to the victims,” MPHRC Chairman, Dino DG Dympep said.

According to him, the climate of fear created by such attacks by the perpetrators has threatened to silence few independent voices to enjoy a climate of impunity within the state.

Stating that it is an imperative that these barbaric attacks, injustices and gross human rights abuses be seriously addressed by the government, Dympep said, “We humbly stand in solidarity with Agnes’s family and community.”

By Our Reporter