SHILLONG, SEPT 27: The Movement for Indigenous People’s Rights and Livelihood – Meghalaya (MIRPL) on Saturday suspended its ongoing economic strike, which has resulted to the loss of two lives during the recent firing incident in East Jaintia Hills District.
“We have decided to suspend the ongoing economic strike from today, due to the fact that the said strike has diverged from the aims of a non-violent strike,” MIPRL vice chairman Erwin K Sutnga said in a statement issued on Saturday.
The organization’s statement also came a day after the funeral of the two civilians who were killed on the Wednesday’s firing in Mookhep village in East Khasi Hills district which also caused injuries to many.
The firing had taken place during the hours of economic strike when protestors blocked the movement of vehicles along the National Highway – 44, besides pelted stones at them.
Villagers had also alleged that the leaders of the MIPRL were nowhere to be seen attending the funeral of the deceased which was held at Wapungskur village.
However, the organization had only expressed regrets on the loss of innocent lives.
“We deplore the loss of innocent lives and the injury caused to others,” Sutnga said.
Sutnga further stated that the decision was also taken as Puja celebration has started and the organization does not want any incident to mar the religious festivities.
Meanwhile, the MIPRL urged the people to defy the 24 hour shutdown called by the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) from 6pm on October 1 to 6 pm on October 2.
“We do not support any bandh call and we urged our supporters not to support any bandh call,” Sutnga said.
Meanwhile, the Meghalaya government has strongly termed the call for an economic strike as uncalled for and unwarranted in view of government’s efforts to take up the matter pertaining to NGT’s ban on coal mining with the Centre which is already progressing in the right direction.
On this, Sutnga said that regarding the matter of the coal ban and other matters related to the same MIPRL will follow up the matter and will not rest until a solution is found.- By Our Reporter
+ There are no comments
Add yours