SHILLONG:
Following the protest staged by a Bengali couple against the alleged crimes on non-tribals in the state at Khyndailad, Gambegre MLA Saleng Sangma, on January 24, said that “segregation or racism” has no place in Meghalaya and one shouldn’t make attempts to justify them here.
Adding that though people are welcome to exercise their right to protest in the state, one shouldn’t accuse the whole tribal community of such wrongdoings, he said. “Instead, people should collectively fight atrocities committed against the weaker sections of the society,” Sangma said.
He further maintained, “If you are protesting, then you should stand for the weaker section of the society, those who are victims. Do not try to segregate, or create racism; this is not good. If you are well-educated, you should know how to take it forward.”
Referring to the scenario in Khyndailad and Iewduh, he said, “How many tribals own a shop? When you go and look there, it is run by a majority of the non-tribals. You cannot blame the Meghalayans for the atrocities on the non-tribals. We, tribals, are free and peace-loving people and are not head-hunters anymore.”
He assured that the government is trying to get hold of the criminals involved in the alleged crimes.
Referring to the cold-blooded murder of late Josbina Sangma back then when militancy was at its heights, Sangma pointed out that even the militant groups in the state such as the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) and the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) mostly attack tribals.
It may be mentioned that the protest, held on January 23, was led by a couple – SK Choudhury and his wife – who had earlier said that they will sit on an indefinite hunger strike if the government fails to bring the culprits to book.
Citing the recent incident at Lumdiengjri, where three non-tribals were stabbed by unidentified persons on January 20, as a case in point, Choudhury had said that such atrocities committed against minority communities, particularly on the Bengali community, has been a trend since the 1979 and he will continue to protest till the time “government commit our fundamental rights and punish the culprits”.