2 arrested for murder attempt on RTI activist in Meghalaya

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: The condition of prominent social activist Agnes Kharshiing continues to be critical but under control and the Police have already arrested two persons who were involved in the barbaric attack.

The apprehended persons have been identified as Ephon Dkhar and Meklison Shylla. Both have been remanded to five days Police custody. The attackers have already been booked under section 195 (11), 307 and 392 cases of the Indian Penal Act, all related to attempting to murder.

The Superintendent of Police, East Jaintia Hills, Sylverster Nontnger told The Sentinel on Friday that interrogation is on. The Police are also on the lookout to nab the other members involved in the mob violence case.

Meanwhile, the Medical Superintendent of the North Eastern Indira Gandhi of health and Medical science (NEIGHRIMS) where the injured social activist is undergoing treatment said, “The condition of the patient is critical but stable. There are multiple injuries in her body and we are going for a second citi-scan report before deciding on any surgery on her head.”. He added, “So far everything is under control and we are looking at the medical dynamics before taking a final call.”

On Thursday, Kharshiing, who is also the president of the NGO known as the Civil Society Women’s Organisation (CSWO), along with her aide Amita Sangma and their driver E. Kurbah was brutally assaulted by a group of some 40 people in the Sohshriieh area in East Jaintia Hills. She was rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital before being taken to NEIGHRIHMS.

The activist had lodged a complaint on the illegal mining and transportation of coal in the district. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had ordered an interim ban on “rat-hole” coal mining in Meghalaya from April 17, 2014, after the All Dimasa Students’ Union and the Dima Hasao District Committee filed an application before it alleging that the water of the Kopili river was turning acidic due to coal mining in the Jaintia Hills.

Also Read: Meghalaya News