Shillong Feb 15: Rambrai-Jyrngam MLA, Kimfa Marbañiang and Hynñiewtrep Youth Council on Friday complaint to the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) alleging violation of human rights by Assam police who arrested two persons and assaulted several villagers of Umwali near Langpih area in West Khasi Hills district bordering Assam’s Kamrup district.
Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma said that the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police of West Khasi Hills district have spoken to their Assam counterparts to release the two arrested persons.
On Thursday, the Assam police went to Umwali village to stop workers of the M/S Dhar Construction from erecting electric poles to provide electricity to the village and allegedly assaulted the villagers including women for objecting the arrest of two persons – the secretary of Umwali village, and a driver of the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL).
The Assam police later resorted to lathi charge and alleged that stones were pelted by the villagers.
As a result of the lathi charge, many villagers were seriously injured, and 16 of them were referred to Nongstoiñ Civil Hospital for better treatment.
Speaking to reporters, HYC president, Robertjune Kharjahrin said that the complaint was lodged with the Commission to urge it to look into the matter and ensure that compensation be awarded to the villagers who were injured in the assault.
The HYC also urged the Commission to direct the Assam police to release the arrested persons without conditions, book the Assam police under appropriate provisions of law for blatant violation of human rights of the villagers, direct the Meghalaya government to provide immediate protection to the villagers, and pass orders as deemed appropriate by the Commission.
Marbañiang, who is the Congress MLA from Rambrai-Jyrngam constituency, also lodged a complaint with the Commission against the Assam police for assaulting the villagers. The complaint was also submitted to Home Minister, James K. Sangma, the Meghalaya State Commission for Women and other authorities.
Alleging that the Assam police have violated human rights of the villagers, Marbañiang said that villagers were hit by the Assam police personnel who did spare the women too.
Marbañiang said that there was no women police at the place of occurrence.
He said that the villagers were assisting the workers in erecting the electric poles because they wanted to complete the work at the earliest since the area is going to host a Church gathering next month.
After knowing about the incident on Thursday, Marbañiang said that he visited the area with an intention to meet Assam police to discuss with them about the incident, but he was confronted by non Khasi residents in the area.
“They interrupted me while discussing with the Assam police after which, I had a heated argument with them (non Khasi residents),†Marbañiang said.
The non-Khasi residents who are residing in the area shouted at the MLA and told him, “This is Assam, we are Gorkhas.â€
Meanwhile, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Mawshynrut Civil Sub-Division, West Khasi Hills district has promulgated Section 144 CrPC in Langpih and adjoining areas bordering Assam prohibiting carrying of illegal arms and other lethal weapons by any individual or groups and unlawful assembly of more than five persons to prevent any unwanted happenings.