By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Outraged by the sudden attack by armed militants on two jailors of the Williamnagar jail, the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on Sunday demanded the State Government to conduct an independent enquiry into the attack even as ensuring the safety of the tribals serving in Garo Hills.
The attack by the militants on Saturday night on the assistant jailor, Neil Warjri and Warder Sarai Singh Thabah, who died during the attack, has infuriated the KSU, compelling them to demand for immediate transfer of all the Khasis posted in Garo Hills.
Condemning this cowardice act of the militants, the KSU general secretary Auguster Jyrwa said “This heinous act has brought about indifference between the two communities. This is not the first time that our people are being harassed and killed. We demand a clarification from the outfits that are behind the attack.”
The KSU has also criticized the functionaries of the jail while questioning the disappearance of the round-the-clock guard on duty during the attack. “The government should make sure that enough security is given to our people failing of which, the government will have to transfer all the Khasis serving in Garo Hills back to Khasi Hills”, Jyrwa added.
Meanwhile, president of the KSU Mawlai Circle Donboklang Kharlyngdoh while condemning this act, demanded an independent enquiry into the attack and said that this is a pre-planned attack by the outfits in Garo Hills to eliminate other tribals of the State.
“It is shocking to note that the same people who are considered to be part and parcel of Meghalaya are killing their own people. Nothing could be elaborated on this except the fact that this has brought about a major indifference in the two communities”, Kharlyngdoh said.
The assistant jailor identified as Neil Warjri of Mawlai Mawroh and Warder Sarai Singh Thabah of Nongthymmai were killed inside the jail compound near the gate in the attack that occurred at around 9 pm. As many as eight GNLA cadres armed with AK rifles and Chinese made pistols were involved in the attack.
Mentioning that Warjri was only posted in Williamnagar Jail temporarily, the KSU said this harassment and attack on innocent people not sparing women is an act of cowardice. “They (militants) are anti-Khasis and anti-Hynniewtrep as this is not the first time that our people are being targeted”, the KSU Mawlai Circle president asserted.
Calling on the people to stay united, Kharlyngdoh sought unity and courage from the tribals to prepare to face any challenges even to come out in the battlefield to fight for the survival of their race.
Meanwhile, the KSU has extended their condolence to the bereaved families and as mark of expressing their grief and sorrow, they will observe a black day on Monday and carry black flag.
UDP condemns attack
The UDP has also condemned the attack of the GNLA at the Williamnagar jail which led to the death of the assistant jailor Neil Warjri.
“This incident is a result of the failure on the part of the Government to take control on the law and order situation in Garo Hills. The situation in Garo Hills is getting worse with each passing day,” UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh said on Sunday.
While coming down heavily on Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh, he said that instead of taking stock of the whole situation, it was surprising to see that the Home Minister was busy campaigning in Shillong West constituency in favour of its party candidate Mohindro Rapsang.
Meanwhile the FKJGP has also condemned the Williamnagar incident.