JOWAI: Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Eastern Range, A Sunn on Tuesday conducted a spot enquiry into the various criminal incidents and activities that have been reported from Briwar, Samasi and Mynthning areas of East Jaintia Hills District, and also assessed the prevalent law and order situation in the area.
The DIG was accompanied by East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police MK Dkhar, Additional Superintendent of Police BD Marak, Deputy Superintendent of Police W Muksor, Officer in charge of Saipung PS M Marboh and others.
The DIG interacted with the elders of Mynthning village and Nongkhlieh Elaka including the acting Dolloi Nus Dkhar and others. During the interaction, Dkhar informed the DIG that frequent criminal activities in Briwar have created a fear psychosis in the minds of the people who are operating their coal mines and the labourers working in Briwar.
During the interactions, the DIG made it clear to the village elders that he was there not to interfere into the various land disputes in the area but to ensure that law and order is maintained properly.
Speaking to media persons, the acting Dolloi, Nus Dkhar, informed that on January 30 a group of people numbering around 25, dressed in commando outfits and masked faces and armed with sticks, rods, machetes and sophisticated weapons including guns and hand grenades came to the area and resorted to blind firing.
“To save our life we fled away but they chased us. While chasing us they exploded a hand grenade. Luckily no one was injured from our side,” Embok Pajuh, an elder from Nongkhlieh said, adding, “We do not have arms to retaliate and so we had to flee to save ourselves.”
The village elders also informed that on the same day, a clash occurred at Kongong at around 11:30 pm several people including Melansius Lyngdoh, Marshon Thongni, Shawker Singh, Tuberlin Wanniang, Shanborlang Jyrwa, Medolin Wanniang, Mersher Thongni and Watermi Lyngdoh were attacked at Kongong on NH-44 by unidentified miscreants travelling in three unidentified vehicles. Melansius Lyngdoh sustained grievous injuries and succumbed to his injuries while he was being transported to the hospital.
The DIG later interacted with the elders of Mynthning village including Rangbah Shnong Wolbing Paslein and village secretary Wis Manar.
The DIG assured the elders of Mynthning and Nongkhlieh that the Police Department would take up the law and order issue seriously and take steps to bring the situation to normal and restore peace and harmony in the area.
The DIG also informed that a Police Battalion Camp has been set up in Briwar. Officer In charge of Saipung Police Station, M Marboh, confirmed that a platoon of the 3rd MLP Battalion comprising 20 personnel arrived in Briwar on Tuesday evening.
“We are happy that the Government, particularly the Police Department, has taken initiative to protect our lives and property by setting up a Battalion camp at Briwar,” Embok Pajuh said.
Sources said the 3rd Battalion stationed in Briwar has been issued instruction to maintain law and order in the area and not to entertain any individual coal mine owner who may try to take advantages of their presence in the area.