SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has directed the state Director General of Police (DGP) to submit a detailed report on the murder of two labourers in Ichamati, directing within 15 days.
The directive comes following an online complaint filed with the commission, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Ishan Singh and Sujit Dutta during a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on March 27.
According to the complaint lodged by Shreshta, the protest initially began as a peaceful demonstration against the CAA in Ichamati.
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However, the situation escalated when unidentified miscreants incited violence, resulting in the alleged beating deaths of Singh and Dutta, both belonging to non-indigenous communities.
Their dead bodies were discovered in Ichamati and Dalda, respectively, sparking outrage and demands for justice.
The families of the victims filed a First Information Report (FIR), attributing the incident to an anti-CAA protest organised by the Khasi Student Union (KSU) in Ichamati.
In light of these developments, the complainant urged the MHRC to initiate a thorough inquiry into the matter.
Taking cognizance of the gravity of the situation, the MHRC has acted swiftly, requesting a comprehensive report from DGP LR Bishnoi.
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Meanwhile, the Meghalaya Police have made significant strides in the investigation, apprehending several members of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) believed to be involved in the heinous crimes.
On April 28, Osternic Marbaniang, the assistant finance secretary of KSU, was arrested from Shillong’s Jaiaw area, marking the fourth arrest in connection with the murders.
However, these arrests have stirred unrest in the state, leading to a spate of petrol bomb attacks in Shillong, the state capital.
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In response to the escalating violence, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma condemned the attacks, attributing them to reactionary measures against the arrests made by law enforcement.
Sangma assured the public of stringent action against those responsible for instigating violence, reaffirming the government’s commitment to maintaining law and order in the state.
