Residents of the Patharkhmah area, under the banner of the Voice of the People of Western Ri-Bhoi, held a mass rally in Patharkhmah today to demand the immediate release of Bakstar Diengdoh, who was recently arrested by Assam police.
A resident of Belahari village along the Assam-Meghalaya border, Diengdoh was arrested by Assam police for gathering stones to repair a road. He was first arrested on June 10 and then again on July 3.
Today’s rally saw the participation of residents, pressure group leaders, school children and elders. They carried banners to strongly condemn the actions of the Assam Forest Department and police and demanded that the Meghalaya government take swift action over what they claim is the unjustified arrest of Diengdoh.
The protestors also intended to submit a petition to the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Patharkhmah civil sub-division but the official was not in office at the time. The protestors then resolved to travel to Nongpoh to submit their petition to the Deputy Commissioner of Ri-Bhoi, seeking the immediate release of Diengdoh.
The society leaders and elders condemned the recurring violence by the Assam Forest Department and police, attributing the unrest in the border villages to these actions.
During the meeting with the DC, Abhilash Baranwal, the delegation urged that the issue be addressed seriously. Jirang MLA Sosthenes Sohtun has already demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Diengdoh.
