Assam leader writes to the governor of Meghalaya regarding an alleged attack in Shillong on non-tribals

• Image Credit: Internet

• Nov 5, 2022 | Sourav Boruah

 Digital
Desk: Debabrata Saikia of the Congress, the leader of the opposition in Assam,
urged Meghalaya Governor Brigadier (Retd) BD Mishra to conduct an investigation
into the alleged attacks on non-tribals in the neighbouring state after a
protest rally by a tribal organisation turned violent, leaving several
non-tribal people seriously injured and vehicles damaged in Shillong,
Meghalaya.

Debabrata
Saikia said in a letter to BD Mishra that the state administration should
provide a clear explanation as to why such instances, which violate the
fundamental rights of Meghalaya's non-tribal inhabitants, continue to occur.

In his letter, Debabrata Saikia
demanded that "the administration headed by Conrad Sangma be called to
account for the recent happenings and an inquiry committee be established to
guarantee adequate investigation of the same."

The letter's author, the leader of
the opposition, emphasised that earlier this week, a protest march in Shillong
descended into widespread pandemonium. During the march, Saikia claimed, the
protesters assaulted bystanders while the police did nothing except watch.

Saikia
stated that despite the presence of police officers along the rally's path,
nothing was done to stop the attacks. Saikia described the attack in detail,
claiming that the demonstrators mostly targeted non-tribal residents of the
state and that several horrifying occurrences, including damage and
mistreatment of women, were reported during the same episode.

"A directive
committee must be created which should be led by a judge of the Meghalaya High
Court or equivalent status to address the difficulties encountered by the
non-tribal population of the state," Saikia wrote in a letter to the
governor of Meghalaya. The opposition leader also urged BD Mishra to provide
sufficient security for non-tribal residents of the state.

 unemployment demonstration" in Shillong, Meghalaya, on
Friday, October 28. Later, the demonstration descended into violence, with some
attendees spotted attacking bystanders as well as two journalists who were
documenting the events. The miscreants were spotted running after victims and
attacking them with bamboo pole-flags.

 The FKJGP leaders said that rally miscreants must have benefited.
Around 11.20 am, the rally began in Malki and ended at 1.30 pm at the Fire
Brigade Ground in Laitumkhrah. There were representatives from several pressure
groups, including HNYF, RBYF, FKJGP, JSU, and KSU.