SHILLONG: The North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) has never been busier.
Since Thursday when the CSWO president and RTI activist Agnes Kharshiing and her co-worker, Amita Sangma were brought in with grievous head injuries, there has been an outpouring of shock at what happened and visitors have not stopped pouring in.
On Saturday, North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum and UDP leader Jemino Mawthoh were among the long list of visitors.
Religious leaders offered prayers for Agnes’s speedy recovery. Meanwhile, the lady continues to battle for her life.
The conversation among the visitors veered around the deteriorating social media climate and the online trolls where some have even said, “Agnes Kharshiing should have died for interfering in what is not her business and trying to deprive us of our livelihoods.”
In fact, WhatsApp messages continue to be circulated by those who feel no remorse at what has happened. Again the question everyone asks is, “What are the police doing? Can’t they get Facebook to bring down those offensive pages that threaten to maim and kill people?”Some have even suggested that the translated versions of the trolls should be sent to Facebook and that those who administrator the Facebook pages like Na Lyngwiar Dpei U Hynniewtrep, one of the most vicious in terms of trolling should be punished under Article 66 (A) of the IT Act.
“I am surprised that a person calling himself a lawyer and advising the KHADC on constitutional matters is himself involved in trolls using abusive language on Facebook and other social media. What can we expect from the lesser educated, hyper-active smart-phone users?” an elderly lady who visited Agnes said.
There is shock and dismay at the deteriorating values of Khasi society. “How can 30-40 men beat up two ladies? Where is their conscience, their value system?” were words that were repeatedly echoed by all who came to NEIGRIHMS to stand in solidarity with Agnes, Amita and their family members.
A gentleman from Jaintia Hills said, “What we should be asking is, ‘Who’s next?’ since the coal mafia is so well connected to this government that it is unlikely that anyone will be arrested. In fact the two people arrested on Friday may be just fall guys who will ultimately be released for want of evidence.”
It may be reminded that in March this year RTI activist Poipynhun Majaw was killed for investigating into the cement-coal-limestone deals. His killers are still at large. Environmental activists are most vulnerable in Meghalaya today.
In this climate of gloom and doom, the only light at the end of the tunnel is a proposal from the protest gathering of civil society on Saturday at the Additional Secretariat Parking Lot that they would approach the Supreme Court for an independent investigation into the Agnes Kharshiing incident and also into the earlier killing of another RTI activist, Poipynhun Majaw since both are related to mining issues.
