East Khasi Hills police have arrested members of the Khasi Students Union (KSU) in connection with the murder of two persons at Ichamati near Shella based on strong evidence.
Superintendent of Police, Rituraj Ravi told reporters today that following investigation into the case, police had gathered leads and then arrested the KSU members.
“We have been focusing on leads, witnesses and collected evidence even scientific data during our investigation,” he said.
It may be mentioned that Ishan Singh and Sujit Dutta who were engaged in limestone quarries, were killed on March 27 and their bodies were later recovered at Ichamati and Dalda, respectively.
The killing followed a protest called by the KSU and other pressure groups against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Ichamati.
The arrest of the two KSU members, Mesadap Skhembil and Samborlang Shati, has angered the pressure group who today took out a protest march to the Sohra police station with a demand to immediately release them.
KSU assistant general secretary Rueben Najiar led the protest along with scores of people from Sohra. Some leaders were invited inside the police station for talks.
Speaking to reporters, Najiar criticised the police department for publishing the names of the arrested members, which he felt that it was too early without any prove. He said the police have never revealed names of those who were arrested when their late member, Lurshai Hynniewta was killed.
He said the KSU has demanded the police to refrain from arresting its members based on ‘mobile tower location’ and arrests during the night time.
“We are not terrorists; we are not militants. If they (police) want to talk to our members, call us we are ready to come and meet them since we are not involved,” he stated.
Najiar also claimed that the KSU members had dispersed from the area after the CAA protest. “We have no idea about the murder incident and the allegation made is an attempt to tarnish the image of the KSU by vested interest as they know we are here to protect and safeguard the jaitbynriew,” he added.
