Shillong Nov 17: Meghalaya Governor has decided to take up with Chief Minister, Cornad K. Sangma issues related to mining, and the brutal attack on social activist, Agnes Kharshiing and her aide, Amita Sangma.

The Governor visited the Intensive Critical Care Unit (ICCU) at NEIGRIHMS on Saturday along with his wife, the first lady of the state to express solidarity with the two women, and to understand from them what had exactly happened on that fateful day.

The two women were brutally attacked, allegedly by a group of coal mafias at Sohshrieh in East Jaiñtia Hills district on November 8.

The Governor had a long conversation with Amita, who burst into tears when she saw the governor and the first lady. Amita who is more stable, narrated the whole incident to the governor.

Sources said that the first lady shed tears when she saw Agnes, and Amita in the hospital.

Agnes, sources said, who could not speak properly also shed tears and was heard talking to the Governor and the first lady “thank you so much for visiting her.”

The Governor and the first lady also wished both them speedy recovery.

The Governor told reporters that the reason for him visiting the two injured women was to express his solidarity and sympathies with Kharshiing and Sangma and their family, and also to understand what had exactly happened.

On the health condition of Agnes and Amita, the Governor who quoted doctors said that Amita is much stable now.

“Agnes is also stable but from what I understand, she will be staying longer in the hospital because her wounds are very serious. Even Amita Sangma had a bit of her finger amputated by the assailants. But the doctors are doing a wonderful job, and their families have taken a correct decision by bringing them here than taking to Guwahati. Taking to Guwahati would have cost a lot of time and stress. This is much better. I and my wife joined in praying to God so that they both recover soon,” the Governor said.

On the demand to have a judicial probe or by CBI inquiry into the attack as it links to illegal mining, the Governor said, “basically, law and order is a state subject and first it should be probed by the state government. Only when there are circumstances which indicate that the government is failing in its duty, then the question of CBI can come.”

He however said that he was not aware of the reluctance (to have an independent probe) on the part of the state government. “But as a matter of fact, so far, whatever I have learnt about this incident was largely from the press. I have inquired from the government also,” he said.

The Governor also described Agnes and Amita as courageous ladies and the brutal attack to kill them was a dastardly act.

He also said that the attack on Agnes and Amita was a different matter from the resumption of the mining, and this will have to be handled as a law and order problem, adding that necessary action will have to be taken by the police.

“There are vested interests who involved in the attack and they are criminals. Now the police will have to take adequate action. We had a long conversation with Amita Sangma, who is quite stable, and after that, I will take adequate action,” Roy assured.

Whether as the head of the state he would apprise the Centre on the issues related to mining and the attack on the two women, Roy said “I will do whatever is necessary to be taken, and more than that, I am not at the liberty to say anything to you.”

Asked if there is breakdown of law and order in East Jaiñtia Hills district in particular, apart from issues related illegal mining and illegal transportation of coal despite the ban imposed by the NGT, the Governor said, “I will discuss this separately with the Chief Minister in a few days later, and I will also speak to the Director General of Police.”