An umbrella group of Christian leaders in the State has strongly condemned the recent attack on construction workers at a college campus at Umoid in South West Khasi Hills that led to the death of one worker and injuries to eight others.
In a statement issued today, the Khasi Jaintia Christian Leaders Forum (KJCLF) said the news of the horrific incident at Umoid village on February 24 “fills all of us with dread and dismay”.
“We strongly condemn this act of evil and its perpetrators who committed this heinous act in the dark of night and calls on the traditional and government authorities to follow up on this case for the rule of justice in society,” the KJCLF said.
The Forum conveys its comfort to the victims of this incident and condolences to the family of the bereaved. At the same time it expresses support to St Xaviers College and its founders “whose vision and commitment are to contribute to the education and development of this area, hoping that this vision will not be stopped by this appalling incident”.
“The Forum also strongly condemns other incidents affecting our people and citizens of our State in other places and calls upon the youth and fellow citizens to distance oneself from those individuals with murderous and evil intentions, but to work together for peace and harmony in the State and our nation. All individuals and citizens want the same development and peace for all because we are all connected with one another in other spheres of daily life,” the statement said.
It may be noted that miscreants on the night of February 24, attacked the construction workers at the girls’ hostel of St. Xavier’s College in Umoid.
Due to their serious injuries, the victims had to be rushed to Shillong Civil Hospital from Mawkyrwat CHC.
One of the workers identified as Raju Mondal died within a few hours after being admitted in the hospital. Mondal along with the eight injured workers hail from Mancachar district of Assam.
According to authorities of St. Xavier’s College, all the workers possessed the work licenses and every procedure was followed.
Following the incident, the Education Council of the Jesuit Society for North East India which runs the college has resolved to put on hold its entire works in Umoid including the running of classes.
Police have so far arrested three persons from the area for their alleged involvement in the attack. According to police, two of the arrested are members of the KSU. However, the KSU has denied its hand in the incident.
Yesterday, hundreds of local villagers of the area took out a rally to protest the incident and demand arrest of all the culprits.
