‘Most police officers afraid to speak against coal mafia’: Agnes Kharshiing

‘Most police officers afraid to speak against coal mafia’: Agnes Kharshiing

A CORRESPONDENT

Shillong: Women rights and RTI activist Agnes Kharshiing, on Saturday said that most of the police officers are scared to speak out against illegal mining in the state.Speaking to media persons on Saturday, Kharshiing who is recuperating after she and her colleague Amita Sangma were attacked in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district on November 8 said that many good police officers have been transferred.Not denying the fact that there are trustworthy officers in the force, Kharshiing said, “I have faith only on a few officers, but most are scared to speak out.”

She also alleged that some of the police officers are themselves involved in the coal business. Kharshiing also brushed aside allegations against her that she was involved in taking money from truckers transporting coal illegally.“Why don’t those truckers from whom I took money filed a case against me,” Kharshiing said. She also added that if her intention was to take money from truckers she would not have informed the police of the illegal transportation of coal.The activist also said that being the president of the Civil Society Women’s Organisation (CSWO) does not mean that she has to take up issues pertaining to women only. Kharshiing said that in Jaintia Hills many residents do not get potable water. “Many poor people want to speak out but they don’t dare,” she said. Kharshiing also said that as a human rights defender she does not have to stick only to women related issues.

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