By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Almost a month after they were taken into custody by the Assam police, two farmers from Langpih were finally released on bail on Thursday.
The two farmers – Skendro L Mawnai (68) and Twendro L Mawnai (70) – had been arrested on June 16 by Assam police for allegedly encroaching upon and destroying the forest cover at Gizang Reserve Forest, which is a disputed area.
“We pleaded for their bail before a local court in Assam,” a relative of the two farmers told news persons here on Friday.
The relative was upset with both the police and the West Khasi Hills district administration for not taking steps to secure the release of the two farmers.
“It was only with the help of our local MLA KP Pangngiang and an NGO leader that we were able to move the bail plea,” the relative added.
Assam police had arrested the duo on charges that they had illegally felled trees in the forest reserve, informed HANM Ri-Bhoi president, Kodius Thongni, who had also played a role in securing the release of the two farmers.
Speaking to reporters, the two farmers claimed that on that particular day they were working in the field when a group of Assam personnel came there whisked them away.
The farmers, however, informed that they had been taken good care of during the period of their detention in the Assam jail.
