SHILLONG:
The general secretary of Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) Donald Thabah said that it is up to every able-bodied resident to tear down the Border Security Force (BSF) camp in Ri War areas.
He was addressing a gathering on May 8 at a peaceful rally held at Pynursla market to extend solidarity to the victim Roning Nongkynrih who was allegedly gunned down by BSF personnel on Friday. The rally was organized by the KSU South Central circle.
“The enquiry committee should recommend life-time imprisonment for the BSF personnel. That is our demand. We do not want them to be transferred or suspended,” he said.
He warned of an inevitable law and order situation if the BSF personnel are not given life-imprisonment.
Thabah said that the BSF personnel could have enquired from him if there was anything suspicious instead of resorting to shooting.
“It is the duty of every able-bodied man to come out and tear down the BSF camp here in the Ri War region. If we keep quiet, we will still be harassed,” he said.
He questioned the lackadaisical attitude of the BSF personnel in not preventing illegal immigration but instead harassed the locals from time to time.
Newly elected organizing secretary of the union Raymond Kharjana said, “We request the people to come forth and lend their support, this is only the beginning that the KSU has taken to ensure that the victim gets justice. There will be other agitations soon but demands/agitations will not be fruitful without the cooperation of the community.”
He remarked that the BSF responsibility is to protect but their presence turned out to be a bane for the people.
Kharjana threatened to take its own steps if the representatives did not take stern action against the BSF personnel allegedly involved in the shooting of Nongkynrih.
Publicity secretary of Federation of Local Dorbar Riwar Mihngi Edmund Khongngai claimed that it is not the first time that the BSF harassed the people.
“They are a hindrance to us. Instead of checking on Bangladeshis who illegally enter the state, they choose not to punish them,” he said.