SHILLONG, Nov 27: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) central body has appealed to the leaders of Hmar Peoples’ Convention – Democratic (HPC-D) to withdraw their demand of Rs 8 lakh from the Khasi residents of Cachar District, Assam.
The demand follows a series of circumstances which led to the arrest of three HPC-D members by Assam Police recently, a statement informed.
The organisation has reportedly held the Khasi residents of Atukhal, Cachar district in Assam, responsible for the arrests and threatened to shoot them.
The HPC-D further demanded Rs 8 lakh from the residents and to pay the amount by November 25, the KSU said.
Later, the KSU Barak Valley Circle and Barak Valley Khasi Jaintia Welfare Association held a discussion with the leaders of HPC-D following which they withdrew the demand.
However, on Thursday, the HPC-D resumed its demand and threat to shoot the residents. The residents have been frightened, the KSU informed.
In a statement issued here, general secretary of the Union, Donald V Thabah, said that withdrawing the demand and threat will ensure that peace prevails and also urged the Northeastern tribal groups to be at peace with one another.
The Union has also assured the residents of Atukhal that they will monitor the situation till it is controlled.
Meanwhile, the leaders of Mizo Zirlai Pawl, whose intervention was sought in the matter by the KSU, have reached out to the leaders of Hmar Peoples’ Convention, who have informed that they have no relation with HPC-D. However, talks under way with the Hmar community in Cachar.