By Our Reporter
Shillong, Nov 22: One year has elapsed since five Meghalaya villagers were shot dead by the Assam police in Mukroh but their families are still waiting for justice.
The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and the Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) slammed the state government on Wednesday for failing to ensure justice in the case.
KSU president Lambokstarwell Marngar told The Shillong Times this is not the first time that such things occurred in the villages along the Meghalaya-Assam interstate border.
“We may recall that even in 2010, four innocent lives were lost at Langpih. The family members of those who died in Langpih have not got justice till now. One year ago, a similar incident had happened in Mukroh,” Marngar said.
According to him, the delay in taking action against those responsible for the deaths of the five villagers has raised the question if the people, who are expected to enforce the law, have the right to take away innocent lives.
“Are we sending a message that nobody can touch them since it is their right to kill people? People now no longer feel safe when they see the men in uniform who are expected to protect them,” Marngar said.
Asked if the KSU is pressuring for a CBI probe, he said it is for the state government to decide.
“It is the duty of the people who are in power to decide what needs to be done to ensure that justice is delivered,” the KSU president said.
He added that the “political bosses” were elected by the people for five years and it is their duty to serve the people to the best of their capability.
He also said that if such incidents continue to occur, then it gives an impression that the government is promoting the same to create a sense of fear among the villagers residing in the border areas.
Marngar said the state government should ensure that what happened in the past is not repeated.
The KSU put up banners and posters across Shillong on Wednesday to commemorate the first anniversary of the Mukroh incident and send a symbolic message to people not to forget the five victims.
Marngar lamented that the border disputes have remained unresolved for more than 50 years.
“It is the duty of the two neighbouring states to find a permanent solution to the problem,” he said, adding that it is also the duty of the Centre to help find the solution.
Meanwhile, the JSU asked Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma not to forget the assurance he made when he had visited Mukroh last year that border police outposts will be set up in Mukroh to protect the local villagers from the high-handedness of Assam police.
The JSU appealed to Sangma to make sure the inquiry into the Mukroh incident is handed over to the CBI at the earliest so that the families of the victims get justice.
“We would also appeal to the people not to forget this tragic incident,” the JSU added.