JOWAI: Four members of the Meghalaya Peoples’ United Federation (MPUF) were arrested red-handed, as claimed by police, while they were extorting truckers near Wapung village in East Jaintia Hills on Sunday.
The arrested MPUF members were identified as David Dkhar (21), Vicky Dhar (19), both of Ladrymbai Khliehdupon, Siantis Sana (34), Juni Phawa (25) of Mukhaiialong village, East Jaintia Hills District.
Interestingly, nine NGOs from Jaintia Hills comprising the FKJGP, MPUF, JSM, HANM, EJNC, HYC, KSU, JNC and KSU have strongly condemned the arrest and demanded that the East Jaintia Hills SP should be transferred immediately. Meanwhile, residents of Khliehriat have urged the police not to listen to the NGOs. “The EJH SP, Vivekanand S Rathore is the best SP ever posted in the district. He has tried his level-best to eradicate drug peddling. Moreover, many members of these so-called NGOs are themselves engaged in illegal activities such as cattle smuggling to Bangladesh and illegal transportation of minerals from Jaintia Hills to other parts of the state. Police should take strong action against them”, said a well-known politician and resident of Khliehriat.