SHILLONG, July 11: The state police on Thursday issued notices to Khasi Students’ Union members in two cases registered against them – one regarding the assault of labourers and a technician at JN Stadium and the other related to intimidation under various sections of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 (BNSS).
A senior police official said suo motu cases have been registered at the Lumdiengjri police station and a KSU member responded to a notice served but no arrests have been made so far. The official said more such notices would be issued as the investigation progresses. The police are checking video footage of the incident wherever possible and recording statements.
The official said the KSU has been told that only the authorised department can inspect work permits or other documents of labourers from outside.
He added that if there are reports of civilians or members of organisations taking the law into their hands, cases would be registered, probed, and action taken against them. He urged the people to report if unwarranted incidents are taking place in their areas.
Appealing for good sense to prevail, the official said the state police deployed personnel adequately to ensure the safety of the citizens.
KSU president Lambokstar Marngar, however, said they have not received any notice from the police in connection with the recent incidents.
KSU asks govt to come clean on ILP, MRSSA
Amid the checking of documents of labourers at different construction sites and the registration of cases by the police, the KSU has asked the Meghalaya government to come clean on the twin demands of the inner line permit (ILP) and the Meghalaya Residents’ Safety and Security Act (MRSSA).
Marngar on Thursday told The Shillong Times that the government should make its stand on the ILP and MRSSA public. He also said the government should implement the MRSSA. The KSU stepped up its anti-infiltration drive a few days ago by conducting checks at different construction sites in and around the city as a mark of protest against the delay in the implementation of the MRSSA and the ILP.
Following the drive and assault of some labourers and a technician at the JN Stadium, the Meghalaya police registered four cases against the KSU leaders.
The Meghalaya government said the issue of ILP is pending with the Union government even though a resolution in this regard was passed by the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly in 2019.
The Ministry of Home Affairs sent back the MRSSA to the state government after expressing concerns over certain provisions of the Act. The state government is examining the concerns to ensure people entering Meghalaya do not face many inconveniences while the interests of the indigenous communities are safeguarded.
