Shillong, Jan 10: The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) has strongly condemned the July 9 incident in West Garo Hills district, terming it a stark reminder of what it described as a “complete breakdown of governance and enforcement” in protecting indigenous land and communities.

The West Garo Hills Police have detained three persons on suspicion in connection with the assault that led to the death of ACHIK member Dilseng M. Sangma at Goalgoan under Rajabala Police Station in West Garo Hills district.

Superintendent of Police, Tura, informed that police teams carried out raids late Friday night, including at the residence of a quarry owner suspected to be linked to the incident.

However, the quarry owner is currently absconding and is believed to be on the run. Police said efforts are underway to trace and apprehend him at the earliest.

In a statement issued on Saturday by its chairman R.K. Synrem, CoMSO said the incident was not an isolated law-and-order lapse but the result of years of unchecked illegal settlement, rampant stone quarrying, and what it alleged to be administrative apathy or complicity.

The organisation accused the authorities of repeatedly ignoring warnings from civil society, allowing illegal activities to flourish while leaving indigenous communities “vulnerable and insecure”. It demanded the immediate identification, arrest, and prosecution of all those involved in the incident, warning that “cosmetic inquiries and routine assurances” would no longer be acceptable.

CoMSO further called for the immediate eviction of all illegal settlers from the affected plain belt areas, strictly in accordance with the law, and the total shutdown of illegal stone quarries operating in violation of environmental, land, and mining regulations. It also sought criminal proceedings against quarry owners, financiers, and officials allegedly enabling such activities.

Warning that continued tolerance of illegal settlements and extractive operations was altering Meghalaya’s demographic, social, and security fabric, CoMSO described the situation as an “existential issue” for indigenous communities rather than a mere administrative or environmental concern.

“The Government must choose between the rule of law and the rule of convenience,” the organisation said, cautioning that failure to act decisively would further erode public trust and embolden illegal elements.

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