By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 20: The Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners and Drivers Association (MCTODA) on Thursday announced that it will not file an FIR or approach the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) over the alleged use of excessive force by magistrates and police personnel during the recent protest at Mawryngkneng.
Addressing a press conference, MCTODA president Moskalander Marngar said several legal experts had advised the association to take legal action after many of its members sustained serious injuries during what they described as a peaceful protest. However, the association decided against doing so.
Marngar said the leadership concluded that pursuing legal action could lead to punitive measures against Khasi officers and police personnel who were on duty that day. “We do not want our own people to face punishment or consequences because of our decision,” he said, adding that he personally knows several senior police officials, including Anthony Lyngdoh and Aiban Diengdoh, who were deployed during the incident.
He acknowledged that many MCTODA members were severely injured, allegedly after being beaten with rifle butts, lathis, and smoke grenades. However, he insisted that holding Khasi officers accountable would only serve the interests of what he described as powerful cement plant lobbies.
According to Marngar, these lobbies “control the police machinery and even the political bosses,” and would see action against Khasi officers as a victory for their influence. He accused the industry of attempting to divide the community through tactics similar to the colonial-era “divide and rule” policy.
“We will not allow this cement plant lobby to succeed in dividing our community or pitting us against one another,” he said, reaffirming the association’s stand to avoid filing any complaint.
