NONGSTOIN: The headman along with the villagers of Salpara, West Khasi Hills, have urged the state government to initiate a dialogue with the Assam government with regard to the release of two village youths who were arrested by the Gorkha regiment during a raid at Hahim Bazaar on February 7.
The villagers also condemned the Assam government and asked it to stop harassing the villagers residing along the interstate border of Meghalaya and Assam.
The two persons, who were arrested, have been identified as Silseng Sangma and Raktin Marak. They happen to be relatives.
The Gorkha regiment arrested the youths on apprehension of being members of the United Achik Liberation Army (UALA).
The Headman of Salpara, Dilip Sangma told The Shillong Times that on February 7, Silseng and Raktin went to Hahim Bazaar for purchasing vegetables and other commodities. During the peak hours of market, at 4.30 pm, troops of Gorkha regiment from Boko came to Hahim to raid the market claiming that there were members of United Achik Liberation Army (UALA) present there.
“The people ran for their lives as the army began they raid,” Sangma informed. “More than 15 people were inspected in the raid, while others were released, Silseng and Raktin were taken to Boko for questioning,” he added.
It was only later that the villagers and the headman learned that they have been arrested as troops claimed that the youths belonged to the UALA outfit. Reportedly, two pistols, one 9mm and another 7.62 mm, were also recovered from them.
Dilip Sangma along with the villagers of Salpara called the Gorkha regiment’s allegations baseless and fake. “They (the two youths) are good citizens and are employed as workers in the village. How could the Gorkha army identify who the real militant is?” Dilip said.
Convert Sangma, a local youth from Salpara, said that the two persons were innocent and did not belong to any outfit and that there are no UALA militants in Salpara.
He said that Silseng Sangma is a job card holder of MGNREGS and an honest resident of Salpara and Raktin is a daily labourer and the handyman of a pick-up truck.
