The last rites of Arjun Ray, the daily wage labourer who was murdered in broad daylight while at work two days ago, were carried out today.
Ray was born and raised in Rynjah, Shillong, but was still seen as an outsider by his five masked killers, who came to the construction site in Mawlai Mawroh where he was employed to demand to see the labour licences of Ray and two others. Unsatisfied with the explanation that their employer was handling the licences, the masked attackers assaulted the labourers.
The other two, being younger, were able to escape. Ray, with grey stubble on his face, was in his 50s at the time of his death – the ruthless murderers had no qualms about ending his life with a crowbar.
Ray lived in Shillong with his 25-year-old son Mukesh, who also works as a daily wage labourer painting houses. The elder Ray’s wife and daughters live in Bihar.
It is to Bihar that the son will now move to, citing safety fears while also demanding justice for his deceased father. The other two who were injured have also gone back to Bihar fearing for their lives. They had reportedly unmasked at least one of the perpetrators.
Mukesh will now look after not only his wife but his mother and his youngest sister who is 17 years old.
“I don’t feel safe staying in Shillong anymore. My father was murdered while at work. We’re lost for words but all we can say is that we want justice,” he said.
Arjun’s brother, Suraj Ray, also a daily wager, said that non-tribals are unsafe here. “Whoever comes here to work ends up getting attacked. Who is responsible for these attacks? Who will look after this family now with the demise of my brother?” he asked.
