Shillong Nov 8: Well known social activist, Agnes Kharshiing and her friend, Anita Sangma are in critical condition after they were attacked by a group of goons in East Jaiñtia Hills district while returning from Lad Rymbai to Shillong on Thursday afternoon.

Agnes, an RTI activist as well as Anita received severe head injuries. Agnes is also the president of Civil Society Women’s Organisation.

The incident happened at Sohshrieh, a village in East Jaiñtia Hills district bordering West Jaiñtia Hills district.

Agnes and Anita were attacked at around 2 pm at Sohshrieh when she and her friend stopped to take pictures of some coal-laden trucks.

Both of them were attacked by a group of people with hard objects.

After taking them to Jowai Civil Hospital in West Jaiñtia Hills district, doctors on seeing their serious condition, referred them to North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS).

Thursday incident was the second attack on RTI activist was the attack on social activist in East Jaiñtia Hills district.

RTI activist, Poipynhun Majaw, who was the president of the Jaiñtia Youth Federation (JYF), was also murdered in East Jaiñtia Hills on March 19 this year and police are yet to trace the murderers.

Incidents of illegal mining have allegedly been taking place in the coal-rich areas even though the ban on coal mining and transportation of extracted coal by the National Green Tribunal in Meghalaya is still effective.

The ban by the NGT came into force since April 17, 2014.

Condemning the attack, Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma said, “We have issued necessary directions to the police and district administration to investigate the matter and arrest those behind the attack. Civil Society plays an important role in a democratic system as they are instrumental in highlighting the concerns of the people. Violence in any form will not be tolerated and the government will take all necessary steps to ensure that those behind the attack are brought to book.”