SHILLONG, May 24: HYC vice president Donbok Kharlyngdoh on Friday asserted that they are ready to court arrest and go to jail if the district administration and police feel that they have broken the law by dismantling the structures of “illegal settlers” at Lum Survey.
“We have no problem in going to jail since we have done which was supposed to be the job of the government. The district administration should have evicted the illegal settlers immediately after the joint site inspection. But they decide not to act,” Kharlyngdoh told reporters.
He said that as one of the leaders of the pressure group, he is mentally prepared to face any consequence, even jail.
“I have had the experience of being inside the jail in the past. I know the things that are going on inside. I also know on which day non-vegetarian food is served. I won’t be afraid even if they arrest me,” HYC vice president said.
Kharlyngdoh recalled that this would not be the first time police have registered cases against him.
“We will not be demoralised by this kind of threat since we will continue to fight for the interest of our people,” he said.
Pointing out that even the Shillong Cantonment Board (SCB) has admitted that they are illegal settlers, the HYC vice president questioned why the government is trying to shield these illegal settlers.
He further stated that the area has turned into a den of illegal activities and the people residing there are engaged in drug peddling.
It may be added that on Thursday, East Khasi Hills Police registered a case against top HYC leaders under the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order (MMPO) Act and other sections of the IPC for illegally carrying out an eviction drive against settlers in Lum Survey area.
The case was filed at the Sadar police station against HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem, vice president Donbok Kharlyngdoh, assistant general secretary Isaac Basaiawmoit, and several others.
