Relatives demand immediate release of arrested rioters

SHILLONG: Relatives of the 68 people who were arrested during the recent violence in the city have asked the state government to keep its promise and release them unconditionally.
Talking to media persons here on Tuesday, Banraplang Hynniewta, who was representing the families, said the government during talks with the family members on June 4 had assured that all those arrested would be released unconditionally.
He said the government had even sent three legislators – Sports Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh, North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum and Nongkrem MLA Lambor Malngiang – on the night of June 4 to calm down protesters and the three legislators had read out a letter that mentioned about the constitution of the High Level Committee and the release of the youths.
According to Hynniewta, it was only after the government’s assurances that the stone pelting came to a halt.
He informed that the family members will meet Chief Minister Conrad Sangma soon. “Most of these youths who have been arrested are school and college students belonging to underprivileged families,” he said.
Some ladies who were also present during the briefing that some people were arrested while going to work and some of them when they were on their way home.