Khliehriat, Mar 4: East Jaintia Hills police have arrested the Waheh Shnong of Lakadong Ummat, Rimi Amkhloo, after a violent clash erupted during a joint measurement survey for the proposed alignment for a greenfield high speed corridor.
The clash took place between two groups from Lama and Lakadong Ummat villages on Tuesday, which left three villagers – Biron Amrynsong, Argen Rupsi and Cheerful Suchen – injured. Firearms, lathis, daos and explosive substances were used in the clash.
The two villages are claiming ownership of an arecanut plantation at Khlieh Wah Rakhiang.
An FIR lodged at the Ladrymbai Police Station by Waheh Shnong of Lama, Dawan-oo Rymbai, and village secretary Charling Syrti named the Waheh Shnong of Lakadong Ummat, Shaniah Suchen, and Close Patwet, Far Syad, Mon Syad, Kynmoo Patwet, Ban Hynthong, Spel Shilliangam, Kut Syad, Niris Lamare, Lan Suchen and others for “attempt to murder by firing guns.”
According to the village elders of Lama, the office of the Deputy Commissioner had fixed Tuesday for a spot inspection of the disputed land for the four-lane expressway, which was to be conducted in the presence of the Executive Magistrate, National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corp Ltd (NHIDCL), officials, police and villagers.
On arrival at the disputed land in Khlieh Wah Rakhiang between 10:30am to 11am, the named individuals led by the Waheh Shnong of Lakadong Ummat came with an intention to kill the villagers of Lama by “firing indiscriminately using guns.”
Rymbai and Syrti said three villagers of Lama village sustained bullet injuries.
“The act of the accused persons was deliberate and done with the intention to cause death. The incident was witnessed by many villagers from Lama, officers from the DC’s office, officials from NHIDCL and others,” they said in the FIR.
The accused persons fled from the spot after committing the offence and the residents of Lama village are scared for their lives now, the FIR added.
Meanwhile, Cheerful Suchen, who was shot in the stomach and hand, has been taken to Supercare Hospital in Shillong. Biron Amrynsong and Argen Rupsi are under medical care at Woodland Hospital, Jowai.
The area is under a Sec 163 BNSS order issued yesterday by the District Magistrate, Manish Kumar, to restore calm.
