Shillong, May 28: A non-tribal carpenter was assaulted by a group of 15 men, who left him with grievous head injuries at a tourism resort site in Laitkynsew, near Sohra, today.
The resort project is being undertaken by the Centrepoint Group, a local company with a huge footprint in the hospitality industry.
At around 2:45pm today, around 15 youths claiming to be from the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) allegedly trespassed onto the property, intimidated and assaulted workers. The carpenter, Rajkumar Sharma had to be hospitalised for his head injuries.
It is common for pressure groups to take the law into their own hands and conduct so-called inspections of labour licences. Such instances often lead to physical assaults taking place and even death, such as the April 2024 murder of Arjun Ray in Mawlai Mawroh.
In a release, Centrepoint Group’s Managing Director, Larsing LD Sawyan, condemned the attack.
“We are deeply disturbed by this violent and unlawful act,” he said.
Calling itself a homegrown Meghalaya brand, Centrepoint said it employs over 680 people and is “among the largest local employers in the state.” Sawyan called the attack “not merely on a private business” but “a direct attack on the fundamental rights of every bonafide Indian citizen – the right to security, livelihood, dignity, and lawful employment.”
Using even stronger language, he said that an attack on local business houses that “have a proven track record” is an attack on the people of Meghalaya and must have been orchestrated by “enemies of the state”.
Sawyan warned that such incidents “discourage investment, create fear among workers and undermine the immense potential of the state,” especially in rural areas where jobs are scarce.
“We refuse to believe that violence, intimidation, and lawlessness represent the aspirations of the larger society,” the statement read, urging authorities to take “immediate and strict action.” Sawyan also appealed to citizens to condemn the violence, saying such acts “put at risk the security of our own people working and studying outside the state.”
The Meghalaya Rural Tourism Forum (MRTF) has also condemned the attack and said such behaviour undermines the foundational values of a civilized and democratic society.
MRTF president Alan West Kharkongor said Meghalaya has long been celebrated for its warmth, hospitality, and peaceful coexistence. Any actions aimed at spreading fear or disrupting lawful activities not only threaten the integrity of private enterprises but also jeopardize the broader interests of the state and its citizens.
Kharkongor said the Centrepoint Group has significantly contributed to tourism and economic growth within Meghalaya. Such incidents send a damaging message to current and potential investors.
‘If such acts of barbarism and lawlessness are allowed to continue unchecked, they will create a dangerous precedent that could seriously undermine Meghalaya’s image, economy, and future growth prospects,” he cautioned.
He urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, identify those involved and take strict legal action against perpetrators irrespective of affiliation.
“No organization, pressure group, or individual can take the law into their own hands. Differences or grievances, if any, must always be addressed through lawful and democratic means,” he said, calling citizens not to allow misguided elements to sabotage the hard-earned reputation and future aspirations of the state.
