SHILLONG: The members of Agnes Kharshiing’s family appealed for “due space to be provided by social media during their time of critical but stable recovery”.
In a statement issued to the press here, they expressed their gratitude to the public, NGOs, senior state government officials, family members for prayers and cooperation during their visit to NEIGRIHMS.
“We also express our sincere appreciation to the I08 Ambulatory service, Police and District authorities, the doctors and entire staff of Civil Hospital Jowai, and NEIGRIMS Hospital for having extended all possible help for the speedy recovery of both Kong Agnes Kharshiing and Mrs Amita Sangma,” her eldest son, Clarence Kharshiing said.
It may be mentioned that majority of the social media comments used explicit languages and endorsed the assault on Kharshiing and her companion Amita Sangma asserting that she interfered in the livelihood of people.
Theilin Phanbuh, the chairperson of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women, said the attack on the duo was unacceptable and maintained that the culprits should be booked and punished as per law.
The state Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) condemned the attack and pointed to the lack of police security in the areas.
In a statement issued here, BJYM president Egenstar Kurkalang said people should not have taken the law in their hands.
The BJYM urged public representatives to look into the many challenges and to expedite the mining policy.
Terming the attack as an act of barbarism, the Meghalaya Joint Council of Trade Unions and Associations said in a statement, “This incident, which is a sequel to similar incidents in recent past, points to emergence of coal mafia raj in the state and surrender of state political and administrative machinery to such forces.”
The union demanded the arrest of the culprits at the earliest. The North East Network (NEN) too came out in support of Kharshiing and Sangma.
In a statement, it said Kharshiing had been working relentlessly for years to bring the issue of illegal coal mining to light.
NEN urged the government to take strict action against the perpetrators and “do what is necessary on illegal mining activities before such attacks become an everyday incident”.
DDG Dympep, the chairman of Meghalaya Peoples’ Human Rights Council, said, “The climate of fear created by such attacks by the perpetrators has threatened to silence few independent voices to enjoy a climate of impunity within our state. It is imperative that these barbaric attacks, injustices and gross human rights abuses be seriously addressed by the government.”
The Shillong city Mahila Congress too “strongly condemn the criminal and cruel act” and called for justice.
In a statement issued on Friday, Meghalaya State Council of CPI demanded immediate arrest of the culprits and the main kingpins responsible for the crime.
“It is common knowledge that despite the ban on coal mining, transportation of coal is going on illegally. And it seems that stocks of extracted coal are never ending and despite the knowledge of the same the administration has closed its eyes… We therefore urge all concerned citizens to be vigilant against such acts. The incidence also shows the muscle power of the coal mafia,” the statement read.
“We ardently hope that the Government of Meghalaya that is moving the apex court for lifting the ban shall also appraise the apex court about the same (the violence) and clarify the various stands taken by it to overcome the problem related with coal mining,” it added.
