Shillong, Oct 5: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) today expressed concern over the deteriorating health of its vice-president, Pynkmenlang Sanmiet, who has been under arrest since August 19.
Sanmiet was one of several KSU leaders who were detained by police after a rally conducted by the pressure group descended into wanton violence targetting non-Khasis.
The KSU said it has tried all legal means to get Sanmiet bailed due to his health condition, but efforts have fallen on deaf ears. The government will have to take responsibility if anything happens to Sanmiet, the union said.
Speaking to reporters, KSU environmental secretary Shiningstar Kharbihkhiew said Sanmiet, who regularly suffers from nosebleeds, was admitted to Shillong Civil Hospital on July 11 and was advised surgery at Bethany Hospital in September. But the surgery could not take place as the KSU leader was shuttled from prison to Shillong Civil Hospital.
He was then taken to Civil Hospital for a check-up on September 16 and again on October 3 due to fluctuating blood pressure. Doctors at Civil Hospital had referred him to NEIGRIHMS for a detailed examination but he preferred to continue treatment at Bethany Hospital.
Being in jail has also meant that Sanmiet has missed certain deadlines pertaining to his Law PhD. The union is hopeful that the court will agree to bail on October 6.
Although the police cracked down on the KSU, the pressure group has claimed that the authorities have done little or nothing on those who disrupted a public hearing in East Jaintia Hills for a cement plant-cum-limestone quarry. This was one of the matters raised by the KSU in its rally on that fateful August 19.
“We filed an FIR at the crime branch against those who pelted stones, damaged roads and disrupted the public hearing. How is it that till now no one has been arrested?” Khasbihkhiew asked. “The law seems to work only against the powerless. The government is trying to crush public rights by using force against the weak.”
