Shillong, Nov 10: Meghalaya Home Minister James K Sangma visited NEIGRIHMS and went to see social activist, Agnes Kharshiing and Amita Sangma who both are critically injured following attack by suspected coal mafias in East Jaiñtia Hills district.
The Minister met the family members including Agnes’s brothers John Kharshiing and Francis Kharshiing at the Intensive Care Unit of NEIGRIHMS and the children of Amita Sangma.
Condemning the attack, the Home Minister said that stern action would be taken against those involved in the attack. He also assured all possible assistance to the family of the victims.
“We are taking up the case very seriously and investigation is on with two arrests having already been made. We will ensure that justice is accorded to the victims,†he said while expressing concerns that such barbaric and cowardly acts of violence will not be tolerated by the Government.
Following the attack on the activists, the Home Minister had cut short his foreign tour and arrived in Shillong on Saturday to take stock of the situation.
On the demand to institute judicial or CBI probe, he said that the government is thinking on that line.
“The case has already been registered in the police station. So judicial or CBI probe are matters we feel that the police department is equipped to handle this. We have already managed to nab two suspects, so we are quite hopeful that things will progress and we will be able to crack this case very soon.
On allegations that lack of action on the part of the police has led to the incident especially after no action was taken in the murder of former JYF president, Poipynhun Majaw, the Home Minister said that, any kind of investigation certain amount of time is required.
“While investigating into the matter, care has to be taken so that the guilty must be punished and an innocent must not be dragged into the wrong side of investigation. I can assure that we are monitoring the situation very closely on the murder of Poipynhun and this particular case. It would wrong to say that the investigation is slow or that it is not being done in a proper manner. We are investigating this matter still, and I hope soon will have some headway,†he said.
On allegations of nexus between coal mafias and police working intandem which led to the attack on Agnes and Amita especially after informed the police about illegal mining and transportation of coal, James said, “whether there is a nexus or not, this matter has to be looked into. Only after the matter is investigated and there is prove of that, then only I say about that. As of now, I do not want to make any kind of statement based on speculation
On fear that there is lawlessness in East Jaiñtia Hills and how the government will tackle this, James said that “it is our constant endeavour to make sure that we bring about an environment where people feel secure. We make sure the guilty are punished and henceforth we send a strong message that such kind of things will not be tolerated. Let the investigation continue, and as and when we get more evidence, we will make further arrest.â€
