Governor Satya Pal Malik will raise the issue of recent assaults on non-tribals in Shillong with the state
government.
He promised this to a delegation comprising Pynthorumkhrah MLA, AL Hek, and chairman of the Assam State Linguistic Minority Board, Shiladitya Dev, at Raj Bhavan here.
On January 20 three non-tribals were attacked in Lumdiengjri with sharp weapons. Then, four labourers were injured after they were beaten up by a group of over 25 miscreants while they were working at Dinam Hall in Jaiaw on January 24. Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui has denied that the two incidents were communal in nature.
Speaking to the media after their meeting today, Hek said that Meghalayans are not communal but the actions of a few rogue elements are spoiling the image of the whole community. The BJP legislator, who was removed as a cabinet minister last year, also blamed the government for the situation.
“The government has failed to take action against anti-social elements, Hek said. The people of Shillong are peace loving and want to coexist. Therefore, we don’t want any social injustice to happen in our state and the government should give justice to everybody as all Indian citizens have an equal right to live anywhere in our country.”
A continued lack of action by the authorities – no one has been arrested in either crime – could lead the situation getting out of hand, he warned.
The Governor, Hek added, promised him and Dev that Raj Bhavan will raise the issue with the Chief Minister as well as the Union Home Minister.
