Khliehriat, November 9: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has lodged a First Information Report (FIR) with the Superintendent of Police, East Jaintia Hills, alleging that a group of 8–10 persons armed with machetes, sticks and iron rods intercepted and threatened its members and villagers at Shnongrim and Daistong on November 7.
In its complaint dated November 9, submitted to the SP, the KSU stated that a delegation led by its president Raymond Kharjana and general secretary Reuben A. Najiar, along with other members, had visited the two villages to extend support to residents whose land was allegedly being taken illegally for the Shree Cement project.
According to the complaint, after the meeting, the delegation was returning and had to pass through the Shree Cement plant premises at around 3.30 pm when a group of 8–10 persons allegedly stopped and detained the vehicles belonging to villagers and members of the Union.
The complaint identified Miki Sukhlain and Khreh Sukhlain as the alleged leaders of the group, along with other persons.
The KSU alleged that the group prevented the delegation from passing through the plant premises because they did not want the Union leaders to witness that the plant was still operational and mining activities were continuing despite the Meghalaya Government’s order to halt work and maintain status quo following demands by the Union and other organisations to scrap the project.
According to the complaint, the group initially stopped a vehicle carrying Shnongrim residents, including women, and threatened to kill them if they proceeded or raised their voices against the project. Fearing for their safety, the occupants reportedly turned back.
When other vehicles carrying members of the delegation arrived, the KSU members attempted to hold a peaceful discussion with the group but were allegedly prevented from proceeding. The complaint further alleged that one of the persons swung a machete at Union members but missed. The delegation members subsequently managed to overpower the group, seized their weapons to prevent further harm and chased them away.
The Union further alleged that when its leaders approached police personnel stationed in the area and informed them about the incident, no action was taken against the alleged attackers. Instead, the police allegedly allowed the group to escape despite repeated requests by the Union leadership to apprehend them.
The KSU also recalled the July 31 public hearing on the Shree Cement project, alleging that the district administration and East Jaintia Hills police had failed to ensure a fair hearing, with people opposing the project allegedly prevented from reaching the venue. It claimed that tear gas was used during the night, while stones were thrown and roads blocked to prevent residents from attending the hearing. Several vehicles were allegedly vandalised and many people injured, but no arrests had been made.
The complaint further stated that the Union subsequently decided to lodge an FIR at the SP’s office in East Jaintia Hills. However, upon reaching the office, the delegation found it closed, with no police personnel present and no electricity, even though neighbouring houses had power supply. The delegation later met the Additional SP, who was reportedly unable to register the FIR due to the absence of electricity in the office.
The KSU also expressed concern over reports and social media statements in which two persons allegedly involved in the November 7 incident claimed that they had been attacked by Union members and that the latter had attempted to enter the factory premises. The Union termed these allegations baseless and untrue, stating that the other party had lodged an FIR on the same day, while the KSU was unable to register its complaint at the time due to the reported absence of electricity.
In its FIR, signed by KSU Central Executive Council Environment Secretary Shining Kharbikhiew, the Union urged the police to take necessary legal action against the alleged members of the group for attempting to murder its members, threatening women and other members with dire consequences, and against police personnel who allegedly failed to perform their duties in apprehending the accused.
