Shillong, Nov 10: Five years after the assault of activists Agnes Kharshiing and Amita Sangma who tried to prevent illegal coal transportation in East Jaintia Hills, there has been not much progress on justice delivery.
They were attacked by a gang led by coal transporters on November 8, 2018 at Sohshrieh in the district.
After five years, the activists are yet to get any compensation from the government as they have to wait for the verdict of the court in East Jaintia Hills.
Though hearing is held, the activists are in the dark on the progress of the case other than the orders posted on the court website.
The only financial help was the hospital expenditure taken care of by the government when they were undergoing treatment at NEIGRIHMS .
Both the activists are not fully free from the complications arising out of the physical assault though it was a ‘new birth’ for them.
According to Agnes, it was a new birth for her after she recovered from severe injuries on head.
It was also a miraculous survival after she became unconscious for long at the hospital.
The incident, however, brought misery to Amita who is facing financial hardships.
Adding to the trouble, the state withdrew security cover to her unlike Agnes.
Agnes pointed out that withdrawal of security to Amita is a ploy of the authorities to create misunderstanding between the activists.
Annoyed over the withdrawal of the security cover, Amita had written to the government for restoration but in vain.
According to her, the threat perception is still there as the case is yet to be over.
She also wondered as to how four non-tribals -Samar Singh Dalu, Mohor Ali, Sahilur Hoque and Kiran Mohan Tripura figured in the list of attackers as the gang was led by former NPP leader Nidamon Chullet with support from others.
Both the activists had questioned Chief Minister Conrad Sangma for accepting Rs 2 lakh towards CM’s releif fund during Covid-19 pandemic from Nidamon which, according to them, is an insult as they are yet to get justice besides compensation.
Police had charge sheeted 26 accused in connection with the crime.
Neither the state and the central women’s commissions nor the Assembly committee on women empowerment pursued the case of the women activists.
Despite demands, the NPP-led MDA government did not hand over the case to the CBI.
