Two Arrested For Attack On Meghalaya Activist Agnes Kharshiing

The activist and her companion were reporting on illegal coal mine in the district. (Representative Image)

(Photo: PTI)

Two people Elphon Dkhar and Meklison Siangshai, were arrested in Kongong area for the alleged attempt to murder of Meghalaya rights activist Agnes Kharshiing, who suffered injuries after she was allegedly attacked by a group of people suspected to be belonging to the coal mining mafia in East Jaintia Hills district on Thursday, 8 November, police said.

The activist and her companion had reportedly gone to capture photographs of illegal coal mining in the district and were stopped by the miscreants on their way back, a senior police officer said.

Kharshiing, 58, was intercepted and accosted near Tuber Sohshrieh at around 1:30 pm, where she was found in an unconscious state, he said.

Kharshiing was found injured and she was rushed to the civil hospital in West Jaintia Hills district.

Police officer

Chief Minister Conrad Sangma condemned the incident and asked police to nab the culprits behind the assault.

We have issued necessary directions to the police and the district administration to investigate the matter and arrest those behind the attack.

Conrad Sangma, Meghalaya Chief Minister

He said violence in any form will not be tolerated and the government will take all necessary steps to ensure that those behind the attack are brought to justice.

The activist's companion also received injuries in the attack and she is undergoing treatment at the hospital, the police said.

Kharshiing has been referred to the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences for further treatment, where her condition is being evaluated, the officer said.

The opposition Congress has also denounced the incident and urged the administration to strictly deal with those behind the attack.

Thursday’s incident is the second such attack in the state this year.

In March, an RTI activist was found murdered in East Jaintia Hills district.

Amnesty India Says Activists In Meghalaya Under Serious Threat

Amnesty India has released a statement after the attack and said that there seems to be a nexus between the government and the 'coal mafia'.

It also said that the condition of Agnes is critical. "On 8 November, 58-year-old activist, Agnes Kharshiing, the president of the Civil Society Women’s Organisation and her aides were attacked by a mob. She has been admitted in a hospital in Shillong with serious head injuries. Her condition continues to be critical while her two aides are stable," read the statement.

“Activists working against rampant illegal coal mining in Meghalaya are under serious threat. There seems to be a nexus between the authorities and the ‘coal mafia’ in the state, which has resulted in a culture of impunity. Those responsible for this brutal attack must be brought to justice.”

Amnesty India

(With inputs from PTI, IANS)