UDP rejects political link in Mawprem vandalism

SHILLONG: The UDP has said the vandalism of KSU general secretary Donald Thabah’s car is neither linked to the party nor politics. Mawprem, which is known for violent incidents in the run-up to elections, came under scanner when Thabah’s vehicle was attacked around 1.30 am on Sunday.
Addressing reporters here on Tuesday, UDP MDC candidate for Jaiaw seat Paul Lyngdoh said, “It is clear that there is an attempt to insinuate that the incident is linked to the party and to me as well being a candidate of UDP.”
Lyngdoh said the damage to the vehicle is not an isolated incident and there were similar attacks at Lumkshaid, Mawprem, 10 days ago. “The vehicle of the Rangbah Dong was damaged and there were attempts to loot a house too,” he added.
According to Lyngdoh, drugs and other anti-social activities take place in the dark and “such criminal incidents cannot be linked to politics”.
He accused the Congress party of shifting the blame on the UDP. “The incident is highly condemnable and the attempt to insinuate that there is politics is highly irresponsible,” said the former MLA.
Lyngdoh, who is a former president of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), will face the former general secretary of the union Auguster Jyrwa, who is contesting from the Congress.
Meanwhile, UDP president of Jaiaw MDC constituency Michael War said the party has appealed to its members in the constituency to maintain peace and harmony during the elections.
“Donald (Thabah) has no involvement in the election because KSU has no such involvement in elections and I wonder what the miscreants’ agenda behind the attack was,” he said.
“On our part, we are on the lookout as to the people who are involved and we believe we will find out the miscreants,” he added.
With Thabah refusing to file an FIR, vice-president of the UDP Allantry Dkhar urged the KSU leader to file an FIR to ensure that such incidents are curbed.
Condemnation
The Khasi Students’ Union Malki Circle, Shillong Mihngi Circle and Nongkrem Circle condemned the act of vandalism in Mawprem.
“This act of cowardice is unacceptable and unforgivable. Whoever is responsible for this callous act should know that they will find no mercy or forgiveness from the union,” a statement quoted president of KSU Nongkrem circle Kheinkor Kharngi. Kharngi urged the union members to find out the miscreants.