SHILLONG, Nov 8: Two more leaders of the Federation of Khasi, Jaintia & Garo People (FKJGP) have been by the Laitumkhrah police to the Sadar Police Station on November 10 in connection with the October 28 violent rally in Shillong.
The two are Kitboklang Nongphlang and Khrawkupar Nongsiej, the vice president and chief organising secretary of the federation respectively.
Last week, FKJGP general secretary Eldie N. Lyngdoh and senior vice-president Elton C. Warjri were summoned to the Sadar Police Station.
The two leaders were booked under various sections at the Sadar and the Laitumkhrah police stations.
The police had earlier arrested four persons for assaulting pedestrians and damaging shops and vehicles on October 28. The arrests under relevant sections of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act followed several raids in East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts.
A number of suspects are said to be on the run.
FKJGP president Dundee C. Khongsit questioned why the arrest of the organisation’s members during the wee hours.
“The police could have informed their parents before arresting them. I strongly object to the arrest of our members as if they are from a militant outfit,” he said.
The October 28 rally against unemployment carried out by the FKJGP turned violent after a few of its members started assaulting bystanders and commuters on the road.
More pressure groups summoned
The police have also summoned Awaken India Movement (Meghalaya Chapter) chairman Banshai Marbaniang and Ri-Bhoi Youth Organisation (RBYO) president Baiateilang Lapang for participating in a protest march in support of the contractual teachers on October 6.
The two pressure groups leaders appeared before Sadar police station on Monday and again on Tuesday.
The contractual teachers had taken out the protest march by allegedly violating Section 144 of CrPC clamped in the Secretariat Hills area.
It may be recalled that police had fired tear-gas canisters and used force to disperse the contractual teachers and their families who were protesting over the government’s refusal to reinstate them.
The RBYO president said that police recorded his statement on the agitation.
He observed that the contractual teachers had not violated the prohibitory orders since they had already written to the district administration for permission.
He also condemned the police for firing tear gas canisters on the teachers.
The AIM chairman said they will not back out and continue supporting the contractual teachers.
“We have not done anything wrong by supporting the demand of the contractual teachers,” Marbaniang added.
