Shillong June 13: South West Khasi Hills police on Saturday clarified that non tribal stopped in the district as claimed by the Khasi Students’ Union were vegetable vendors who have their shops at Umsur village and workers of an MEPDCL contractor undertaking drilling work for system strengthening work for DDUGKY at Laitlawsang, Mawkyrwat.

“With regards to the post uploaded by KSU South West Khasi Hills on Facebook and appearing in media showing non-tribals being caught within the district on June 11, the people stopped by the KSU at Ranikor are vegetable vendors who have their own shops in Umsur village and have been plying their trade for more than 8 years now,” Superintendent of Police
South West Khasi Hills, Mawkyrwat said.

In respect of the people held at Mawpon on the morning of June 12, the SP clarified that they are workers of an MEPDCL contractor undertaking drilling work for system strengthening work for DDUGKY at Laitlawsang, Mawkyrwat and more importantly, they have been working under the same contractor since last year in Meghalaya and do not have any travel history. The work is related to the installation of a new substation and they had proper documents. It is pertinent to note that care of electricity supply is considered as essential services during this lockdown period.