Assam Congress leader Debabrata Saikia demands detailed report over "attacks on non-tribals" in Shillong

Assam Congress leader Debabrata Saikia has urged Meghalaya Governor Brig (Retd) B D Mishra to enquire into the alleged attacks on non-tribals in Meghalaya earlier in the month of October 2022. 

In a letter to the Governor, Saikia said that a detailed report must be sought from the state government on why such incidents are “repeatedly happening”, violating the fundamental rights of the non-tribal citizens of Meghalaya. 

"I demand that an explanation regarding the recent incidents must be called from the government led by Conrad Sangma and an enquiry committee must be formed to ensure proper investigation of the same," the letter read. 
Saikia pointed out that earlier this week a protest march taken out by some organisations led to massive chaos in Shillong and as per media reports, the protestors attacked passers-by while the police remained "mute spectators". "It was observed that despite the police presence along the route of the rally, no action was taken against the attackers. 

While the protesters mainly targeted the non-tribal citizens of the state, many horrific incidents such as vandalism, ill-treatment of women and others were reported from the same incident," he added. Mentioning a few incidents, Saikia alleged that they underlined the discrimination of the Meghalaya government towards the non-tribal citizens of the state.

"A directive committee must be formed which should be led by a judge of Meghalaya High Court or equivalent rank to address the issues faced by the non-tribal population of the state," he said in the letter to the Governor. 
Saikia appealed to Mishra to ensure adequate security for non-tribals living in the state. 

It is to be mentioned here that, on November 1, MLA from Karimganj's Patharkandi constituency Krishnendu Paul voiced out against the inhuman act in Shillong on the non-Khasi people and demanded the NIA investigate the matter.

The BJP MLA also submitted a memorandum to Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sharma demanding NIA Enquiry over the recent incident of violence in Shillong.

Speaking to the media, MLA Krishnendu Paul said that the incident that took place in Meghalaya was very unfortunate. 

"The recent incident of attack on the innocent people, non-Tribals in particular, is not a sudden unfortunate incident but a continuation of a series of unfortunate incidents, contributed by several different organisations from time to time," said the MLA.