NONGPOH: Infuriated over the assault of three youths by Forest Guards of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) at Jatalong on Wednesday, the KSU North Khasi Hills District on Friday threatened to resort to drastic steps if the perpetrators were not arrested immediately and punished severely.
It may be recalled here, that three youths namely Joining Lyngshiang and Hoping Lyngshiang both from Jatalong and members of KSU Jatalong Unit along with Dilip Bina originally from Lyngshiang under Mawkynrew constituency were assaulted by a group of forest guards at Jatalong on Wednesday afternoon while they were cutting fire wood. The trio were seriously injured and rushed to Bhoirymbong CHC for treatment.
KSU North Khasi Hills District president F Kharkamni told The Shillong Times that such atrocities against the Khasi peoples in Raid Nongtung (Block-II) were being meted by the Assam government from time to time but there is no concrete action from the state government. He thus said that they cannot remain as mere spectators and watched the Khasi people unduly harassed and tortured.
Kharkamni urged the government to take up necessary steps and measures so as to ensure the security of Khasi people as the villages are still under dispute and the Assam government cannot enforce themselves upon the Khasi people who are demanding to return to Meghalaya. He also warned of dire consequences if the government failed to fulfill its constitutional obligation towards its people in protecting their lives.
Meanwhile, according to the three victims, they were assaulted by a group of 20 men mostly forest guards but there were some unidentified persons wearing camouflage dresses and they were beaten with fire woods and kicked for reason. An FIR was lodged by the victims on Friday .