SHILLONG: The KSU Laban Circle has demanded the release of two of its members who were arrested during the Inner Line Permit (ILP) agitation on charge of setting ablaze a tea stall owner and the dropping of MPDA under which they have been booked.
The arrested KSU members – KSU Laban circle education secretary Johny Sohkhlet and organising secretary Readyon Stone Nongrum – are present lodged at Williamnagar jail.
They were arrested in November last year for their alleged involvement in setting ablaze Bisheshwar Das, the owner of Babua Tea Stall at Bishnupur, who had succumbed to the burn injuries.
“Police arrested and booked them under the draconian law without evidence that they were responsible for hurling a petrol bomb at Bisheshwar Das,” KSU Laban circle president Manly Nongpluh said on Thursday.
Nongpluh said that if FKJGP leaders – Eldie Newton Lyngdoh and Reginald Thabah – were released, the government should also do the same to the KSU members.
“We understand that the law is meant to generate better citizens. However, arbitrary arrests of youths will succeed in only generating a feeling of ill will against the system,” Nongpluh said.
Pointing out that many youths had associated with militant groups because the government did not pay heed to the problems of youths, Nongpluh appealed, “We urged the government to immediately release our members and absolve them from the shackles of MPDA.”
Stating that the call, ”No ILP no Rest” is “not a whisper in the dark,” Nongpluh said, “We are ready to shed our sweat and blood to release our community from the shackles of slavery in our own land.”
