A man from Lapangap village was shot in the face by a wooden slingshot allegedly by Karbis from Lakaroi village along the disputed Meghalaya-Assam border on Tuesday.
According to Linus Joit in a video message, the incident happened while he was returning on his bicycle from Lumlakhiat village to buy a traditional herbal medicine.
He stated that around 50 people from Assam’s Karbi community were involved in the attack.
Joit said that despite the injuries and bleeding, he immediately fled and was later taken to the Namdong CHC for medical attention by the villagers of Lapangap.
Waheh Shnong Deimonmi Lyngdoh expressed concern over the incident and urged the government to immediately deploy police personnel in the area for the safety of the border residents.
The disputed village has seen recurring disturbances by the alleged encroachment by Assam.
Meanwhile the FKJGP has expressed concern over the latest incident and stated that the Meghalaya government is still asleep without taking any steps in the name of the ongoing border reconciliation process.
FKJGP Organising Secretary Khrawkupar Nongsiej said what is more disappointing to them is that on June 27, groups from Jaintia Hills and the Waheh Shnongs of West Jaintia Hills were trying to convey to the Deputy Chief Minister that they need district administration officers in the area.
However, according to Nongsiej the Deputy Chief Minister who is also in charge of the Home department did not allow them to speak on that issue saying instead that this is the duty of the government.
“Now whether those law enforcement authorities appointed by the state government have really protected the Khasi-Pnar people or are they just spectators because they don’t even understand the language,” he questioned.
The FKJGP also took exception to a statement of cabinet minister Paul Lyngdoh, that pressure groups should not make the government a punching bag over the incident in Lapangap and the border dispute.
“The question now is whether the attacks on our brothers and sisters by the Karbi community and the Assam police, the Meghalaya government is turning the people into punching bags just because it has been negotiating with Assam for decades?” the FKJGP asked.
