Patharkandi MLA Krishnendu Paul writes to CM, demands "NIA probe" into regular attack on non-tribals in Shillong

The situation all over Meghalaya is tense. The violence on the streets by an organisation against the non-tribal population in the state’s capital has resulted in strong reactions from several factions in Barak and the rest of the region. Regarding the incident, The Shillong Times reported on Saturday, “It was mayhem on the streets of the capital city (Shillong) as participants of a rally, organised by the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) against unemployment, assaulted passers-by and bikers while marching from Motphran to Fire Brigade on Friday.”

The leading daily of the state has also alleged that “policemen remained mute spectators to the ugly scenes unfolding in front of their eyes” as the violent protestors were “brazenly assaulting bystanders and a media person”. The videos circulating online are horrifying from the day of the incident on Friday, October 28. Several Hindu outfits and Bengali Linguistic Organisations have expressed their protest against this attack. Today, Patharkandi MLA Krishnendu Paul has also expressed his concern on this incident and has written to the Assam Chief Minister, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma today. In his letter, he had demanded conducting an NIA Enquiry into the matter.

The letter read, “The recent incident of attack on the innocent people, non-Tribals in particular, is not a sudden unfortunate incident but a continuation of a series of unfortunate incidents, contributed by several different organisations from time to time. This incident has once again scratched the unfortunate history of incidents of conflict of the yesteryears in Meghalaya”.

Expressing his pain and concern, the letter further read, “I would like to mention that many Non-Tribal people including Assamese, Bengalis, Punjabis, Marwaris, Biharis who are there in Meghalaya to work and earn their livelihood but they are living in great jeopardy. Under the circumstances”. Pleading for the CM’s intervention, the MLA requested, “to intervene in the matter of grace concern and take some steps so that such lawlessness and mayhem can be addressed and fixed and an environment of peace and brethren feelings for the larger interest could be restored at the earliest in Meghalaya”.

The BJP MLA’s letter concluded by saying, “In this regard, I am requesting before your kind honour to conduct an NIA Enquiry over the aforesaid issue that is continuously happening year after year in Meghalaya”.