Shillong, Feb 25: Eight labourers from Assam were attacked by masked miscreants in Umoid, near Jakrem in South West Khasi Hills District on Wednesday night while one was declared dead on Thursday morning.

The deceased was identified as Raju Mondal. The labourers were brought to the district to work in constructing of ladies’ hostel in St. Xavier’s College, which is under the Society of Jesus or Jesuit.

The labourers who were attacked are natives of Assam. Brother of the deceased, Aminul Islam said on Thursday, “The Father (priest) from Gauhati told us to come here and work in this Mission School. We reached yesterday we ask the Father if the residents will not say anything. The Father said that they have spoken with the village heads and asked us to take rest”.

Aminul said that around 30 masked miscreants knocked the door and forcefully entered the room and attacked them with dao, sticks etc. He later called the Father who took them to the hospital in Mawkyrwat.

The authorities in Mawkyrwat directed them to Civil Hospital, Shillong.

Meanwhile, the secretary of the Society of Jesus or Jesuit, Richard Jarain said that the authorities have spoken with the village authorities and the local NGOs and all necessary procedures were followed.

Condemning the incident, he said that this is the first time that such construction activity under the lookout of Jesuits were attacked.

A criminal case was registered at Mawkyrwat Police Station and in the course of investigation three persons were detained and investigation is on to further identify the other miscreants.