Shillong, Nov 10: Citizens who converged to express solidarity and condemn the brutal attack on social activist, Agnes Kharshiing and her associate, Amita Sangma resolved to demand for an independent inquiry into the incident and nab all culprits within no time.
Well wishers and a few concerned citizens assembled at a car parking lot near Additional Secretariat for the protest and said that the government has to take the responsibility for the attack on the two women, who are now in critical condition. Free medical treatment should be extended to both of them.
The gathering demanded that sections of the law related to criminal conspiracy and common intention should be included in connection with the case registered against the attack on Agnes and Amita.
Police have registered the case only on attempt to murder and robbery at Khliehriat police station.
So far only two accused have been arrested in connection with the attack, where a group of 30 persons had attacked Agnes and Amita with an intention to kill them.
Agnes and Amita were attacked on November 8 at Sohshrieh in East Jaiñtia Hills district after they returned from Lad Rymbai where a complaint was lodged against illegal mining and illegal transportation of coal.
The attackers thought that Agnes and Amita were dead, and left them in a jungle few metres from the National Highway after they attacked them.
Agnes is still battling for her life and kept on ventilator, while Amita is stable and she has been able to speak now.
Apart from an independent inquiry into the incident, they also demanded a separate inquiry into illegal mining activities which have been going on since 2014 till date despite the ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal.
Former home minister, R.G. Lyngdoh said that the attack on Agnes and Amita showed that illegal coal mining is continuing and demanded that proper probe to unravel the nexus of coal mafias with police and other higher authorities.
“I strongly feel that the incident shows that illegal coal mining is something much more below the surface than what we see. There is a need to really do some deep investigation to find out who all are involved in this (nexus),†Lyngdoh said.
Lyngdoh also urged those engaged in mining to look at other means of livelihood so that one need not dependent only on coal or limestone mining.
The speakers also questioned the government and home minister, James K. Sangma for keeping quiet on the incident.
The speakers also recalled the murder of RTI activist, Poipynhun Majaw on March 19 this year, and suspected that the coal mafias got the courage from that incident since police did not take action and no one has been arrested till date.
“May be the mafias have bought all including law enforcers so that their illegal activities can go on smoothly,†one of the speakers said.
Pariat, said that if the government is not serious about maintaining law and order, it is of no point to have a government.
He also said that speaking out against the illegal mining is not about snatching away livelihood of many people, since such illegal activities benefited only few people who always suppress the poor with all their might.
Pariat also said that speaking against illegal mining was to impress upon the government and people engage in mining to
Former church leader, P.B. M Basaïawmoit said that human rights activists have been targeted everywhere because both state actors and non-state actors look at rights activists as people who do wrong things.
He also said that the attack on Agnes and her friend reminded everyone about the killing of Under Trial Prisoner, Fullmoon Dhar in June 2009, as well as the death of Poipynhun Majaw in March this year.
He also talked about climate change and ongoing coal mining that would not do good to the people and the environment in the long run.
Former FKJGP president, Joe Marweiñ condemned the attack on Agnes and Amita, he said that the incident would further inspire social activists to work more for the interest of the majority.
Angela Rangad said that there are people with conflicting interest in the government and did not doubt that illegal activities are allowed to happen all because of nexus.
Rangad suspected that the attack on Agnes was a coordinated and planned one by mafias along with some people who have common intention.
“We wonder why criminal conspiracy and common intention were not considered by police as they register the case only on attempt to murder and robbery,†Rangad questioned.
Maitshaphrang leader, Michael N. Syiem, Editor The Shillong Times, Patricia Mukhim other individuals also spoke out against violence and giving the criminals impunity even as they asked the government to ensure that the “culture of violence and mafia rule’ has no place in Meghalaya.
“The government should make the citizens feel that we are in a state of lawlessness,” another speaker said.
Many other speakers also recalled the initiatives of Agnes in helping rape victims, single mothers and other persons who come under suppression fight for their rights.
The driver of a taxi that ferried Agnes and Amita also spoke and narrated about the attack on that day (November 8) (EoM)
