Noted woman activist attacked by suspected ‘coal mafia’ in EJH

SHILLONG, NOV 8: Noted social activist of the state, Agnes Kharshiing was critically injured after she was brutally attacked by unidentified miscreants in coal-rich East Jaintia Hills District on Thursday afternoon.

Kharshiing, president of the Civil Society Women’s Organization (CSWO) and her friend A Sangma received severe head injuries in the attack which took place at Sohshrieh in Tuber village, about 80 kilometers from here.

Both were rushed to the Jowai civil hospital at Ialong in West Jaintia Hills District, which is about 30 kilometers away from Tuber. Later, Kharshiing was shifted to the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS).

The anti-corruption and women’s rights activist has been raising her voice against illegal coal mining in the region.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a blanket ban on coal mining in Meghalaya for the past four years since April 17, 2014.

Confirming the attack incident, EJH district police chief Silvester Nongtyngnger said on receiving information about the assault on the activist at around 1.30-1.40 pm, two police team from SP office and Ladrymbai beat house were immediately put to swift action.

“Our team found both of them (Kharshiing and Sangma) in critical conditions after being attacked by a mob and were immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention,” he said.

The SP further informed that a case has been registered and police are making all out efforts to identify the culprits behind the attack.

Asked, Nongtyngnger said that he is yet to know the purpose of the activist’s visit to the district. “She (Kharshiing) did not inform me about her visit,” he added.

Meanwhile, sources informed that Kharshiing had hired a local taxi from Shillong to go to East Jaintia Hills District.

It was the taxi driver who on reaching Jowai town informed a traffic police about the incident.

Sources informed that as per the taxi driver, Kharshiing had taken some photographs of coal in certain locations while coming back from Ladrymbai area.

“When she stopped at Sohshrieh on seeing some coal trucks, a group of 30-40 people including women (suspected to be coal mafias) blocked her vehicle and started assaulting Kharshiing and her friend. They came in vehicles. Kharshiing had no knowledge that she was being followed,” sources said.

However, sources said that taxi driver was taken away on a vehicle by the miscreants during the incident and was later brought him back to Sohshrieh from where he was asked to leave immediately.

It may be mentioned here on March earlier this year, Jaintia Youth Federation (JYF) president Poipynhun Majaw was brutally murdered by miscreants in East Jaintia Hills District and till date police are yet to make any arrest.

By Our Reporter