FKJGP says police treated its members like militants

SHILLONG, Nov 6: The Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) on Sunday questioned the police for treating its arrested members as like cadres of militant outfits.
FKJGP president Dundee C Khongsit wanted to know why police had arrested its members during the wee hours. He made it clear that the federation was not questioning the police for booking and arresting its members under the various sections of the law.
Khongsit also said that the arrested members are ready to face the consequences of what transpired during the rally and added that they are going to approach the court.
According to him, the police could have gone in broad daylight and arrested the four members if there was suspicion that they were allegedly involved in assaulting passers-by during the public rally on October 28.
“The police could have informed their parents before arresting them. I strongly object the police action in arresting our members like they are from a militant outfit,” he said.
He further questioned why police did not bother to inform the members of the Dorbar Shnong when they had gone to arrest their members from Mawlai Iewrynghep and Jaiaw.
Khongsit, meanwhile, said the incident during the public rally had been wrongly projected in the social media. “It was a minor incident. But people who saw the videos that were circulated would draw the conclusion that there was bloodshed. The fact is that not even a single person was seriously injured in the incident,” he said, while urging the residents to avoid circulating any videos without verifying the same.
He admitted that the state’s image has been dented due to the manner in which the incident was projected in the social media. “We need to act responsibly as far as possible to avoid any serious ramifications,” he added.
Police had arrested four persons in connection with the physical assault on innocent pedestrians and damage to shops and vehicles on October 28. The arrests were made after police had conducted several raids in East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts. A number of suspects are said to be on the run.
Cases were filed at Shillong Sadar and Laitumkhrah police stations and the four persons were booked under various sections Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.