A middle-aged couple from Shillong staged a sit-in protest here today against 40 years of alleged atrocities against the non-tribals in Meghalaya.
The protest staged at the Khyndai Lad below the old Assembly gate was also joined by several people who also displayed placards one of which read, “Enough is enough, stop communal violence”.
The couple, S K Choudhury and Kalpana from Rilbong, had planned a fast-unto-death agitation but the authorities granted permission only for a six-hour protest.
In a letter to East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner seeking permission for the protest, Choudhury had alleged that numerous atrocities had been committed against the non-tribals in the State since 1979.
“Till date, not a single murderer, looter, extortionist, or criminal has been convicted or given punishment as per the law. We, being the citizens of India, are ill-treated here as third-grade populace,” he had alleged.
Speaking to media persons, Choudhury expressed concern over the hate crimes against the non-tribal community in Shillong.
Stating that these acts of violence were committed by few people, Choudhury said all peace loving people should speak up against such violence,
“This big gap between tribals and non-tribals should be bridged. We should all live in peace,” he said.
Social activists Agnes Kharshiing, Angela Rangad and some other locals visited the protest site to express solidarity with the couple.
“We should not allow any form of violence or hatred to be promoted against any community,” Kharshiing said.
On January 20, at least three persons sustained injuries after masked miscreants attacked them with sharp weapons near the Lumdiengjri police station here.
One of the injured persons, Chandan Paul (55), a shopkeeper in Iewduh, was allegedly stabbed from behind. Paul was immediately rushed to Shillong Civil Hospital for treatment.
Two others – Norjul Mullah (30) and Abdul Choudhury (38), both residents of Garikhana also sustained injuries in the attack.
However, no person involved in the attack has been arrested so far.
Today’s date holds further significance as it is the 125th birth anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose.
