From Our Correspondent
JOWAI: Five members of the NGOs from Jaintia Hills, which include presidents of the Hynniewtrep National Peoples’ Front (HNPF) and West Jaiñtia Coordination Committee (WJCC) along with three members of the Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM) were detained by the Assam Police at Khanduli on Saturday.
While four out of the five members of the three Jaintia Hills based-NGOs were released hours after their detention, the HNPF president K Lone Laloo was let off only on Sunday evening.
Members of the three NGOs had gone to the camp of the 4th Battalion of the Assam Police at Khanduli to enquire about a complaint lodged by the local residents on the high-handedness of the Assam cops who allegedly charged money from the vehicles plying in the area. Later talks between the two parties turned ugly which led to the arrest of the five members.
According to HNPF President, K Lone Laloo, the team of HNPF, HANM and West Jaintia Coordination Committee (WJCC) were detained after a constable of the Assam Police ‘started the trouble’ while the members were discussing the issue.
Meanwhile, HANM president Lam Kharbani alleged that three of its members —
Elis Susngi, Constantine Thubru, Peter Langstang who were released on Saturday were beaten up by the Assam Police personnel while they were ‘held captive’.
Earlier, the three NGOs held a public meeting at Khanduli village market following which they decided to visit the Assam Battalion camp and enquire about the alleged harassment met to the people of the area by the cops.
Local people have alleged that the Assam Battalion at Khanduli regularly harasses the farmers and local traders of the area.
