Khliehriat , November 8: Two workers associated with the Shree Cement project at Daistong village in East Jaiñtia Hills district have accused leaders and members of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) of criminal trespass, physical assault, intimidation and issuing death threats during an alleged incident on November 7, 2026.
According to a press release issued from Khliehriat, the alleged incident occurred at approximately 3:30 pm on Saturday inside the premises of the Shree Cement factory at Kharrasiang Lumpyrshing, Daistong village.
The allegations were made in a written complaint submitted by Miki Sukhlain and Khreh Sukhlain, who claimed that a group of individuals identifying themselves as KSU leaders and members entered the factory premises without permission from the management or any authorised representative.
The complaint named KSU General Secretary Reuben Najair, KSU President Raymond Kharjana, KSU East Jaiñtia Circle President Streamly Suchen, General Secretary Kwlinis Suchiang, Executive Member Shaniah Dkhar, Bunlangki Sukhlain, Helpful Patwet and Menda Sukhlain, along with several others.
According to the complainants, the situation allegedly turned violent after the group entered the premises, creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among workers and employees who were carrying out their normal duties.
The complaint specifically alleged that Helpful Patwet assaulted Khreh Sukhlain with a dao, a sharp-edged cutting weapon, causing injuries to his person.
It further alleged that KSU General Secretary Reuben Najair forcibly restrained one of the complainants, preventing him from defending himself or escaping during the confrontation.
The complainants also alleged that Bunlangki Sukhlain struck another complainant on the back of his head with a stone, resulting in physical injury.
Besides the alleged physical assault, the workers claimed that they and their colleagues were subjected to abusive and derogatory language during the incident.
They further alleged that the group openly threatened them with death and serious bodily harm if they attempted to oppose or resist their actions.
The complainants maintained that the workers had neither provoked nor committed any unlawful act against the visiting group and were merely performing their assigned duties when the incident occurred.
They also claimed that other workers and employees present at the factory premises had witnessed the alleged confrontation.
Following the incident, the complainants approached the Superintendent of Police, East Jaiñtia Hills, seeking the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against those allegedly involved.
They demanded a fair and impartial investigation into the incident, identification of all individuals involved, examination of eyewitnesses and other relevant evidence, and appropriate legal action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and other applicable laws.
The complainants strongly condemned what they described as violence, intimidation and unlawful interference with the safety and dignity of workers at their workplace.
They maintained that no individual or organisation should resort to violence, threats or physical force against workers peacefully discharging their lawful employment duties.
The allegations come amid continuing controversy over the proposed Shree Cement manufacturing plant at Daistong, which has faced opposition from the KSU and sections of the local population.
The KSU had visited Daistong on November 7 to interact with villagers opposing the project and to assess whether the company had stopped its activities following assurances from the State Government.
During the same visit, KSU leaders had separately alleged that they were confronted by machete-wielding men who questioned their presence in the village.
