Pic: House of Michael Warjri, the Secretary of Hima Nongspung
Shillong May 11: The Hynñiewtrep Youth Council (HYC) on Friday asked the Meghalaya government to file a case before an appropriate forum against the Assam government if it failed to abide by the terms and conditions as laid down in the status quo agreement between the two state governments.

During a meeting with Home Minister, James K. Sangma, a delegation of HYC submitted a memorandum to the state government through him expressing shock over the attack on Michael Warjri, the Secretary of Hima Nongspung under Jirang Block in Ri-Bhoi District by a mob, and the arrest of Warjri by the Assam police within the territory of Meghalaya.

In the memorandum submitted to the Home Minister, the HYC said that on May 7, Warjri, who is the resident of New Balakhawa, Jirang Block ,Ri-Bhoi District, was brutally attacked by a large number of miscreants as a result of which, he sustained injuries.

The miscreants also damaged Warjri’s properties and set various documents on fire.

The HYC told the Home Minister that Badarilin Rani, the daughter of Michael Warjri had lodged an FIR at Nongpoh Police Station and the same was registered. In the FIR, she named around 10 persons involved in this crime which include the headman and secretary of New Balakhawa village among others. She also mentioned that around 30-35 miscreants assaulted her father (Warjri) and damaged the properties. Around 300 people belonging to Balakhawa village, New Balakhawa, Bernongsai and Ranibari village dragged her father to a newly constructed bridge at Mulukhi. One of these people by the name Sapna Rabha attacked the complainant with a knife and other persons pelted stones. This is a very serious case which needs immediate intervention by the state police,” the memorandum said.

The HYC demanded immediate arrest of all persons involved in this crime.

Stating that it was shocked that the victim (Warjri) himself was attacked by a mob, and he was illegally arrested and detained by Assam police, the HYC expressed surprise that the Assam police can arrest and detain a person on the incident which happened within the state of Meghalaya.

“This is a clear cut violation of the Constitution of India and it was an insult to the state of Meghalaya as a whole. Hence we demand from the Meghalaya government to immediately intervene and release the victim from the custody of Assam police. If the Assam government failed to do so, we suggest the state of Meghalaya to file a case before an appropriate forum against the Assam government for violating the same,” the HYC demanded.

The HYC delegation led by its Central Body president, Robertjune Kharjahrin also met, Jirang MLA, Sostheness Sohtun, and the Meghalaya DGP.

Earlier during the day, a team of KHADC members led by the Chief Executive Member, Teiñwell Dkhar visited New Balakhawa village to see for themselves the vandalization and destruction of Warjri’s house and his other properties.