Shillong, Aug 23: Khasi-Jaintia Hills suffered a grave loss on the night of Thursday-Friday with the death of outspoken lawyer and social activist Kynjaimon Amse, who died in a road traffic accident near Khliehriat.
Three others in the car at the time were injured. All four were taken to Khliehriat Civil Hospital but Amse was declared dead on arrival. According to initial reports, the car, a Maruti Swift, lost control and smashed into a wall on the side of the road.
The sudden death produced an outpouring of grief and condolences from individuals and organisations in Jaintia Hills and beyond. Given his high profile and the absence of fear as he took on governments and others in power, there was also intense public speculation into whether there was any foul play.
A week before the incident, Amse filed a complaint with the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) against the issuance of a no-objection certificate (NOC) to Meghatop Cement Pvt Ltd for setting up a cement plant in Wahiajer village without the consent of the Dorbar Elaka Narpuh. He had threatened to drag the JHADC to court if the NOC was not terminated.
Sources said Amse was not driving the car. The driver was reportedly Fullmoon Nongtdu, a relative of Thomas Nongtdu, the owner of Meghatop Cement, but Highland Post could not confirm this.
In the past, Amse had also stood up for the villagers of Huroi, Hingaria and elsewhere that were deprived of roads, healthcare, mobile phone connections, etc. He had also filed a case against the central government and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for the abysmal condition of National Highway 6 as it passes from Ratacherra to Lumshnong.
Amse was born on January 20, 1994 and hailed from Umkiang village in East Jaintia Hills. He was the assistant headman there at the time of his death. Amse completed his law degree from Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) in Patiala after he finished his higher secondary education in St Edmund’s College.
