SHILLONG, Dec 19: The Dorbar Shnong Jaiaw Pyllun and the District Administration are concerned about the sporadic acts of violence across the city and the frequent incidents of attacks and assault cases against non-locals in Jaiaw area, especially the incidents which have taken place at the Dr. Gordon Roberts Hospital.
When contacted, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, Isawanda Laloo on Sunday informed that she had called for a meeting recently with the Rangbah Shnong of certain such areas along with the SP on this matter.
Laloo said that she has directed the local authorities to work closely with the District Administration to ensure the safety of all, including technicians, visitors and labourers.
“The SP and magistrates have been asked to follow up through thana-level meetings with stakeholders to build confidence and to discuss on how to prevent such incidents,” Laloo said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman, Dorbar Shnong Jaiaw Pyllun, PD Nongrum said that the various Dorbar Shnongs of Jaiaw are deeply concerned about the acts of violence taking place across the city especially the frequent attacks on non-locals in various parts of Jaiaw area.
Nongrum said that concerned Dorbar Shnongs, they strongly condemn these acts of unprovoked violence.
Informing that the Dorbar Pyllun had held an awareness meeting on Saturday to discuss these acts of violence, he said that the intention for holding this meeting was to urge the people not to attack innocent people and professionals who come for their respective duties in the Jaiaw area.
He also said that they urged the residents of Jaiaw area on the need to raise their voices against any act of violence. “As residents, we need to intervene if we see anyone being assaulted or attacked by miscreants.
It is not right to remain mute spectators when such incidents take place,” Nongrum said.
Referring to the recent incident at Lum Survey where a local youth from Mawlai Mawiong was killed by miscreants, he said that the Dorbar Shnong urges the Police Department not to take such incidents lightly or to undermine their seriousness
“It is important for the police to nab individuals or groups responsible for these acts of violence whether they be assaults or murder. The police should carry out the investigations diligently and punish those responsible as per the relevant provisions of the law,” he said
Meanwhile, Nongrum said that the Dorbar Shnong wanted to stress on the need for peaceful co-existence in the society.
Echoing similar concerns, the Rangbah Shnong of Dorbar Shnong Jaïaw Laitdom, S B. Kharbangar said that these incidents are sending the wrong message about the whole area.
“We urge the youth not to indulge in any acts of violence. It is not right to assault the technicians who are visiting Dr. Gordon Robert’s Hospital since they are here to assist the hospital,” Kharbangar said.
He said the hospitals would be badly affected if these sort of incidents occur frequently.
The Medical Superintendent, Dr. H. Gordon Roberts Hospital Dr. R. Nongrum said that the management of the hospital are deeply concerned about the frequent assault of non-locals who visit in the hospital.
“The people who came to install the oxygen pipeline could not complete the work due to fear of these sort of incidents. We will again need people from outside to install the oxygen plant but we fear that they might refuse to come after hearing about the cases of attacks and assault in the hospital,” he said.
Dr. Nongrum said that the technicians who came to install the fire safety equipment were assaulted recently inside the premises of the hospital.
“There have been many such cases of attacks against non-locals who visit the hospital during the past few months,” Dr Nongrum said adding that even doctors from outside will not be willing to come and work in the hospital.
“If doctors from outside refuse to come and work then it will be the patients who will be losing out. The hospital always invites doctors from CMC, Vellore to come and help,” Dr. Nongrum added.
