SHILLONG: The Thma u Rangli Juki (TUR) said on Thursday the attack on CSWO chief Agnes Kharshiing was “not an aberration” but was planned.
Condemning the attack on Kharshiing and her associate Amita Sangma, TUR said in a statement the incident pointed to the impunity with which the mafia are operating in the state under political patronage.
“This attack is not an aberration but has happened in a calculated manner in the same district where the murder of RTI activist Poipynhun Majaw is yet to see justice,” TUR said and urged for speedy investigation.
UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh expressed shock at the incident and said, “How can people be so barbaric? It is highly condemnable and such incidents are not acceptable. The culprits should be brought to book.”
UDP working president Bindo Lanong had said before the Assembly election in February that if the party was voted to power, it would “come up with a mining policy which will not have any conflict with any stakeholders”.
The UDP is a major ally in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance led by the National People’s Party.
Former home minister RG Lyngdoh vehemently condemned the attack and urged the district administration and the state government to take the matter seriously “since the public is also not hearing about the murder of the president of Jaintia Youth Federation Poipynhun Majaw”.
“It appears that there is much more happening than what meets the eye,” the former home minister said.
TUR said in its statement that Kharshiing’s fight against corruption “is not a lone fight”.
The chairperson of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women, Theilin Phanbuh, has urged the police to immediately arrest the people responsible for the attack.
In a statement to the media, Theilin Phanbuh said this kind of barbaric act should not be tolerated.
Senior Advocate V G K Kynta, while condemning the incident, said the perpetrators must be booked at the earliest so also the kingpins.
“The state government is weak and slow and failed to provide security to her. The public must come forward to protect our women and the government should pay medical expenditure and immediate monetary relief to her family,” the senior advocate added.
Chairperson of State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Meena Kharkongor termed it as an act of cowardice.
Workers Power of Meghalaya, a federation of over 13 workers’ unions of Meghalaya, also voiced its anger over the attack on “friend and comrade” Kharshiing, “a person who fights for the poor and the downtrodden and who fights to protect the environment and livelihood of workers”.
“We urge the government to ensure that the culprits are brought to book and we wish Kong Agnes a speedy recovery so that together we can struggle for a better Meghalaya. We shall fight we shall win,” said president Angelina Hynniewta and secretary Kenneth Swer of Workers Power.
Ka Lympung Ki Seng Kynthei also joined the chorus in denouncing the brutal assault of the activists.