GUWAHATI: Assam police have confirmed that Michael Warjri, the secretary of Hima Nongspung, whose house at New Balakhowa in Jirang was allegedly vandalised by a mob on Tuesday, has been sent to judicial custody and is currently kept at Lokhra jail.
Warjri, 76, was in custody of Palasbari police station in Kamrup district of Assam after a case (number 191 (5) 2019 under section 341/325/387) was registered against at the police station on Tuesday.
Speaking to The Shillong Times on Thursday, additional superintendent of police, Kamrup, Sanjib Kumar Saikia said Warjri had allegedly attacked a person with a machete after an altercation with a group of people near his residence at Ranibari along the inter-state border.
“Subsequently he threatened a mob who had gathered there with a single barrel gun, which could have been dangerous, and so police had to intervene and take him to the Palasbari police station where a case was registered,” Saikia said.
Narrating the case, the police official said the incident started after Warjri had reportedly prevented a machine-laden vehicle to pass near his house to repair a bridge and even threatened the driver with his gun.
“The driver fled the scene and thereafter the altercation with the mob took place,” Saikia said.
Sources said that residents of the area were agitated with Warjri since long for his alleged objections in regard to construction activities there.
Asked about the incident, Warjri’s daughter, Badarilin Ranee, told The Shillong Times alleged that a group of people from three villages, Balakhowa, Bernongsai and Ranibari in Jirang district, pelted stones and damaged her house besides burning official documents.
“It was the Assam police who intervened and rescued my father from the attackers. He was kept at Palasbari police station on Tuesday and is now at Lokhra jail. I will be meeting him tomorrow. But I will not rest till justice is done and the perpetrators of the incident arrested,” an irate Badarilin said, asking how could a 76-year-old man attack people who were part of a mob.
“The official documents were destroyed because my father had opposed construction under PMGSY scheme by Assam on Meghalaya land. My father had won a case and had managed to get a stay order against the development schemes,” Badirilin alleged.
Meanwhile, based on an FIR filed by Badarilin, Ri Bhoi police arrested three persons from Ranibari, Salman Sangma, Biamon Sangma and Nipu Sangma, in connection with the incident on Wednesday. Interrogation is on to arrest others involved in the incident.