Second case of ‘hate crime’ in two weeks after twin-murders in Ichamati
SHILLONG, April 10: A daily wager was killed by the miscreants in broad daylight at Mawlai Mawroh here on Wednesday. The incident comes after two non-tribal labourers were murdered at Ichamati after a protest against Citizenship (Amendment) Act on March 27.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Rituraj Ravi said the miscreants assaulted three labourers working at an under-construction private residence and later, one of them, identified as Arjun Ray (52), succumbed to his injuries at NEIGRIHMS.
Rajaram Mahato and Suresh Kumar Mahato, who were also assaulted, escaped with minor injuries.
Ravi said a case will be registered in connection with the case. He said investigation is on to identify the culprits.
One of the labourers, who is an eyewitness, said they reached the site at around 9 am. He said the masked miscreants, numbering 5-6, arrived at around 10:30 am to 10.45 am and asked them to produce their labour licence.
“We told them the owner is making it and they started assaulting us. First, they used their hands to assault us. Later, they beat us up with iron rods,” the witness told media persons.
As soon as news of the attack spread, a number of people gathered at NEIGRIHMS where the legal formalities were taking place. The victim’s family refused to claim the body and demanded justice saying that these kinds of incidents have become too common in the state.
The son-in-law of Arjun Roy said the victim was born and brought up in Meghalaya.
“They moved out of the house at around 8.30 am and at around 12.30 pm, we were informed of the incident of assault. When we reached NEIGRIHMS, we were told he is no more,” the son-in-law said.
People who gathered at NEIGRIHMS said they will not take the body until the government assures them of safety and provides compensation to the families.
“What will these miscreants achieve by killing a daily wager?” one of them asked.
Another said an innocent person has been killed without any rhyme or reason.
They said if the miscreants have any demand, they should raise it before the government. They added that these incidents will only send a wrong message about Meghalaya to other parts of the country.
Later in the evening, the state government agreed to provide a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the family of the deceased.
After the announcement, the family agreed to take the mortal remains of the deceased for the final rites.
CM, LS candidates silent
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, otherwise a media and tech savvy politician, was silent on the latest incident of “hate crime” in Shillong.
There was neither any word of condemnation over the killing of the labourer at Mawlai Mawroh nor any message of condolence to the bereaved family and assurance of security to the non-tribals.
Similarly none of the political leaders, barring BJP MLAs AL Hek and Sanbor Shullai have come forward to condemn the incident.
Lok Sabha candidates for the Shillong parliamentary seat are also silent on the three murders in East Khasi Hills in two weeks.