Violence at public hearing in EJH
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 25: The VPP and HNLC has strongly condemn use of force by the district administration against unarmed civilian protestors during the public hearing conducted by the Meghalaya Pollution Control Board for the expansion of the Meghalaya Cements Ltd at Thangskai village in East Jaintia Hills on Thursday.
In a statement here on Friday, VPP spokesperson, Batskhem Myrboh said that the party strongly condemns the brutality committed by the district administration and the police force against the peaceful and unarmed villagers including women who protested during the public hearing.
He said that the incident clearly demonstrates that the MDA government is anti-people and is ready to go to any extent to exploit the local populace while serving the interest of the crony capitalists.
“Development cannot be at the cost of the people and the environment. Right to a peaceful protest is a basic human right. The failure of the state to protect those right shows that democracy is in danger and threatened,” Myrboh said.
The VPP spokesperson further stated that the district administration and the state government should punish the guilty police personnel, managers and officials of the company while bearing the medical expenses and pay compensation to all the injured.
Echoing similar concerns, the HNLC also strongly denounces the brutal act and excessive force by the police towards the civilian protestors who are in opposition to the expansion of the cement plan.
In a statement, HNLC general secretary cum publicity secretary, Sainkupar Nongtraw said that additionally, they also condemn the actions of the police, led by the SP.
Nongtraw said that the exploitation of mineral resources by cement and coke factories has resulted in detrimental water and environmental pollution.
He said that they emphasises the need for an end to intertribal conflicts among the Hynniewtrep community.
“We consider ourselves an oppressed nation facing a divide-and-rule strategy implemented by the government, which is predominantly controlled by non-Hynniewtrep people,” he said.
The HNLC general secretary stated that it is crucial for members of the Hynniewtrep to stop fighting and exploiting each other, particularly the Hynniewtrep police force should protect their own people rather than assaulting them just to please their masters and businessmen from outside the state.
JNC expresses disappointment
The Jaintia National Council (JNC) has also expressed its disappointment over the unlawful act by the police personnel against the civilian during the public hearing on Thursday.
Disheartened at the plight of the innocent people being manhandled by the force, the JNC stated that their action has undermined the principle of justice and equality thus eroding basic rights and dignity of the citizens. The council questioned whether the police were to serve the public or the businessmen (MCL), while also pointing out that how come no female police officers was deployed at the venue during the public hearing.