Shillong, Nov 28: The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) has expressed solidarity with social activist, Agnes Kharshiing and Amita Sangma who were brutally attacked with an attempt to end their life by suspected coal mafias in coal-rich East Jaiñtia Hills district on November 8.

“The NPMHR expresses its solidarity with our fellow-human rights defender, Agnes Kharshiing and her colleague, Amita Sangma, who were brutally assaulted on November 8, at Tuber Sohshrieh in East Jaiñtia Hills District of Meghalaya in their mission against illegal coal mining,” the statement said.

Agnes and Amita are being treated in NEIGRIHMS, Mawdiangdiang in Shillong.

Agnes is still in serious condition and Amita’s health has improved.

Agnes’s family has consented for surgery of the fracture on her right hand arm/elbow on Wednesday.

“The surgery went well and she (Agnes) was under observation in operation theatre for some time. She may be taken to ICU for one night, before taking back to private ward,” sources said.

The NPMHR wished both Agnes and Amita speedy recovery to further the cause of the people.

Asking the Meghalaya government to uphold justice, the NPMHR said, “by conferring penalty to the culprits, such delivery must serve as a deterrent to similar illegal mining activities sprouting all over North East India, including Nagaland, where the governments of the day are unable to raise even a voice of concern because of which activists such as Agnes Kharshiing and the likes, face the brunt of mining mafias who collaborate with the powers that be.”