Indefinite road blockade in Jaintia hills

SHILLONG, FEB 19: A conglomeration of five Jaintia hills  based ngos have announced an ‘indefinite night road blockade’ from February 25 to protest against the state government delay in releasing the report of the magisterial inquiry into the Mookhep firing incident that killed two persons last year.

The five ngos who announced the road blockade on Thursday includes Ri Jaintia Youth Federation (RJYF), Meghalaya People’s United Front (MPUF), Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM), Jaintia Students’ Movement (JSM) and Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF).

The decision to call for indefinite road blockade was taken after the one week deadline served to the Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA-II) led government expired.

“We have decided to call for an indefinite night road blockade to protest against this unnecessary delay in making public the report of the magisterial inquiry into the firing incident by the state government,” the ngos leaders said in a joint statement issued on Thursday.

They informed that the proposed indefinite blockade which will start from 7pm to 5am from February 25 will be effective in both East Jaintia Hills and West Jaintia Hills districts. According to the leaders the government had disrespected the requests made by the ngos and the people of the region since last year.

The ngos again reiterated its demand for a CBI probe in case the report of the magisterial inquiry fails to pin point the culprits responsible for firing.  The leaders said, “We have decided to continue with our protests till the government is ready to comply with the demands which include immediate release of the inquiry report.”

Even after four months since the firing, the state government is yet to make public the report of the magisterial inquiry that probed the Mookhep-firing incident killing to two civilians and injuring several others.

Earlier, the ngos had alleged that the delay in making public the report of the magisterial inquiry on the part of the state government is being done to protect the officials (police or magistrates) involved behind the firing incident.

The magisterial inquiry headed by the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) of West Jaintia Hills SS Syiemlieh was immediately constituted on the day of the incident (September 24) and was asked to submit the report within a period of 30 days (October 30, 2014). But later the magisterial inquiry was granted 10 days extension which expired on November 11.

It was on September 24 last year, two civilians S Phawa and D Siangshai were shot dead while several others injured during the firing incident at Mookhep village. The incident took place during the economic blockade called by the MIPRL to protest against the NGT ban on coal mining in Meghalaya.

The ngos have been demanding that the state government punish by terminating officials including police or magistrates  if the report indicted them of involvement in the incident and to also book them under the Arms Act.- By Our Reporter