Shella non-tribal group’s ‘allegations’ provoke ire of pressure groups
KSU dares Gopal Dey to get evidence against its members
Shillong, April 1: The Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) and the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) have warned the Coordination and Welfare Committee in Shella Block to refrain from false allegations against the latter in the Ichamati killings.
While HNYF accused the Committee of adding a communal colour to the incident, KSU dared the organisation to produce evidence against its members.
“The police are investigating the matter. How can the Coordination and Welfare Committee jump to the conclusion by connecting KSU with the murder of Esan Singh and Sujit Dutta,” HNYF president Sadon Blah said, adding that it was an attempt to stoke communal tension.
Blah also slammed the Meghalaya Linguistic Minority Forum for adding fuel to the fire by publicly declaring to organise a protest against the killings.
“HNYF will strongly oppose any attempt to flare up communal tension in the state… the Khasi community has remained calm and composed against the murder of our people be it at the border, shot by the BSF or the lynching of Lurshai Hynniewta,” Blah said.
Hynniewta was allegedly lynched by non-tribals in Ichamati during a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act in 2020. Last year, BSF shot dead Runing Nongkynrih, a truck driver, at Mawshun. Earlier this month, Asen M Marak, a villager belonging to the Garo tribe at Daliya in Shella, was shot dead by BSF.
KSU general secretary Donald Thabah dared Gopal Dey, the president of the Committee in Shella, to come forward and present his evidence against the members of the KSU.
Thabah pointed out that Dey made similar allegations against KSU in 2020.
The Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) joined KSU and HNYF in criticising the Committee for bringing false allegations.
“It is the job of the police to find out the truth, not his (Gopal),” FKJGP general secretary Eldie N Lyngdoh said in a statement.
Ka Sur Ki Nong Ri War statement
The Voice of Ri War people and the Nongrum clan have condemned the assault of a police officer in Bholaganj by one Damebanbha Nongrum. “The unpleasant event that took place at Nongjri elaka on the 26th of March 2024. has greatly affected the integrity of Ri War Mihngi altogether. Such a barbaric and ill act against a police official on duty should be condemned and the accused be punished,” a statement said.
