Shillong, Nov 26: The ‘Save Hynniewtrep Mission’ comprising of the five pressure groups – Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), East Jaintia National Council (EJNC), Jaintia Students Movement (JSM), Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM) and Confederation of Ri Bhoi People (CoRP), burned effigies of the Chief Minister of Meghalaya Conrad K Sangma, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and State Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Saturday near the Meghalaya Chief Minister’s Bungalow at Polo, Shillong.
The five pressure groups had initially planned to burn the effigies at the entrance of the CM’s Bungalow but were stopped by the State police. After a heated argument with the police, they were shifted to an area away from the entrance of the CM’s Bungalow.
The protest was to condemn the failure of the Governments of Meghalaya and Assam and the Central Government to prevent the November 22, 2022 tragedy at Mukroh village in which 6 people lost their lives.
Speaking at the protest, HANM leader Lamphrang Kharbani condemned the inhumane attack of the Assam Police in which 5 precious lives were lost at Mukroh in West Jaintia Hills on November 22. Kharbani urged the State Government to put up a demand with the Central government for creation of a separate cadre for the State of Meghalaya like other North Eastern states like Mizoram, Nagaland and Manipur.
HYC leader Robertjune Kharjarin demanded the State Government to deploy more police personnel to the border areas for the safety and security of the people of the State as he reminded that this incident is not the first one that has taken place on the Meghalaya-Assam Border. He recalled that in 2010 a similar incident had occurred at Langpih where 4 lives were lost and many were injured. The HYC leader said the State government should speed up the phase two of border talks as incidents like Langpih and Mukroh can be prevented.
HYC general secretary Roy Synrem informed that the main objective of this program was to express their condemnation towards the government and also the central government. Recalling the statement made by Amit Shah during the plenary session of the North East Council, Synrem said “Shah said that before we celebrate the 75th year of Independence the BJP government will make an effort to resolve all border disputes in NE. But we find these are just mere statements and no action has been taken.”
During the burning of effigies, two police vehicles were speeding and almost hit the protestors. This led to a heated argument between the protestors and the police. Fortunately, the leaders of the organisations were able to calm their members citing that the cops on duty there were not aware of the protest.
