Digital Desk: Massive public outrage erupted on Monday in the border area of Killing, Ri Bhoi District, after villagers accused an Assam resident, Jitul Deka, of filing baseless allegations against Meghalaya in the Supreme Court of India, in which after the protests turned tense when enraged residents burnt the effigy of Deka following a large public meeting organized by the All Killing Dorbar Committee at Jorbil village.
The protest meeting was attended by a huge crowd of locals along with several prominent leaders, including Sosthenes Sohtun Minister in charge of C&RD and MLA/MDC of Jirang, Charles Marngar MLA, Mawhati, Damanbait Lamare MLA, Umroi, Rona Khymdeit MDC, Nongpoh, former Umroi MLA Ngaitlang Dhar, BB Makdoh President, Synjuk ki Rangbah Shnong, Ri Bhoi, Ken Syiem Syiem of Raid Marwet, and leaders of major social organizations such as the FKJGP, KSU, and RBYF from Ri Bhoi.
The unrest stems from a petition reportedly submitted by Deka through the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to the Supreme Court, alleging large scale environmental destruction in Meghalaya, the complaint links activities in the area including the construction of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) on so called “Recorded Land” to frequent floods in Assam and seeks penalties amounting to 150 crore.
Carrying placards and banners, protesters denounced Jitul Deka, accusing him of interfering with Meghalaya’s land and tarnishing the image of Killing by falsely blaming the area for floods in Assam.
Speakers at the rally condemned what they described as “unfounded and illegal actions” by Deka, who is alleged to be a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assam. They criticized him for approaching the Supreme Court without proper investigation and for attempting to malign border villages in Meghalaya.
“These are acts of aggression and illegality by an outsider who has not investigated the real causes of flooding in Assam but has instead falsely accused our villages along the Meghalaya-Assam border. This is unacceptable, and we will fight back,” declared community leaders during the gathering.
State Minister and Jirang MLA Sosthenes Sohtun expressed serious concern over the allegations and informed the public that he has already discussed the matter with Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong.
He assured that the Meghalaya government is fully prepared to contest the case in the Supreme Court and has engaged a team of legal experts to defend the state’s interests.
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