RBYO president attacked; coal mafia suspected

NONGPOH: In yet another attack on a social activist, the president of Ri Bhoi Youth Organisation (RBYO), Baiateilang Lapang, on Friday night was attacked by unidentified miscreants at his village at Nongrah Umroi while he was returning home along with one of his friends.
As per information received from the general secretary of the RBYO, Kronding Nongbsap, the incident happened at around 11-11:30 pm when Baiateilang Lapang along with his accomplice was returning home. Suddenly miscreants armed with iron rods and other weapons and travelling in a brand new vehicle — suspected to be a Hyundai i20 with no registration plates –blocked their way and attacked them.
Lapang, however, miraculously escaped with his vehicle and fled towards Lumsiehlama Nongrah and then on to Umden Arka and spent the night in a nearby forest.
Meanwhile, Baiateilang Lapang while talking to media persons on Saturday at Umroi said that an FIR in this regard has been lodged at Khapmara PIC. He urged the concerned authority to arrest the attackers at the earliest adding that he suspected the attackers were some coal mafia who have earlier threatened him when the organisation detected and complained against illegal transportation of coal in the past few months.
Lapang also alleged that though he had informed the police on the very night of the attack and sought protection the latter did not take any steps.