Meghalaya rights activist attacked by illegal coal mining mafia
Guwahati, Nov 8 (IBNS): Meghalaya rights activist Agnes Kharshiing and her associate Anita Sangma were severely injured after a group of people linked with illegal coal mining mafia attacked them in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district on Thursday.
According to the reports, the illegal coal mining mafia group attacked Meghalaya’s social activist and president of the Civil Society Women's Organisation (CSWO) Agnes Kharshiing and her associate, when they reportedly had gone to capture some photographs and videos of illegal coal mining in the district.
The incident took place at Kong Ong village in East Jaintia Hills district, about 2 hours from Shillong, capital city of Meghalaya.
In the attack, Kharshiing received severe injuries in her head and she was admitted at Ialong Civil Hospital and later rushed to NEIGRIHMS hospital in Shillong.
The incident happened a day after the social activist lodged a complaint on coal-laden trucks parked at Mawiong Rim in Shillong, which were later seized by the Meghalaya police.
Kharshiing raised her voice against illegal coal mining activities in the state since the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ban and she had earlier exposed illegal coal mining and coal transportation despite NGT ban in Jaintia and Khasi Hills in the state.
A top official of Meghalaya police said that, the incident occurred at around 2-30 pm on Thursday.
“Kharshiing and her associate Anita Sangma were found near by a jungle in unconscious state and they were immediately rushed to hospital. The driver who drove due was unhurt and he fled from the area, when Kharshiing and her associate were attacked by a group,” the official said.
The illegal coal mining mafias had attacked the women and left them in the jungle.
It is the second such incident in Jaintia Hills district when illegal coal mining mafias attacked social activists.
In March this year, Poipynhum Majaw, president of Jaintia Youth Federation (JYF) and RTI activist was found murdered at Khliehriat.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma condemned the incident and directed police to nab the culprits behind the attack.
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