SHILLONG, NOV 20: Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners & Drivers Association (MCTODA) has decided not to approach the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) or file a First Information Report (FIR) concerning the violent incident at Mawryngkneng junction.
Addressing media persons on Thursday, Marngar said: “Many have suggested that we should approach the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC). However, we have decided not to pursue the issue with the MHRC nor filing FIR on the incident that took place at Mawryngkneng junction. We have decided to refrain from filing complaints. It is okay if we get beaten up till we die or get arrested. We do not want to support the divide and rule policy among the Khasi.”
He added that the aggressive police action was carried out by non‑indigenous personnel who communicated in Hindi, witnessed by members and women tea‑sellers on the road.
“The lathi charge was executed by non‑tribal police force, this we know because they were communicating in Hindi. We were compelled to protest in the street for our rights, our protest was never against the state government but against the cement factories.”
Marngar further alleged a conspiracy between the government and out‑of‑state business tycoons to divide the Khasi community.
He informed that the association will bear the medical expenses of injured members.
“We have decided to bear the medical expenses to the injured members. We do not want to file any complaints as we found that this is a ploy between the government and big business tycoons from outside the state to divide and rule among the Khasi.”
Association member Lamiki Rabon recounted his injury, stating: “I was injured from the leg during the protest.”
Another member, Yomi Sutnga, described the escalation: “It was never us who started — in fact it was the police. When we were sending away the trucks, police were escorting the trucks. After a few minutes, police started using tear gas and lathi charge.”
Marngar justified the decision to avoid MHRC, citing doubts over the commission’s impartiality and fear of retaliation against local police and administration personnel, which could exacerbate communal division.
“Why we will not file a complaint to the MHRC because we feel that the commission will not look into the issues faced by us… This will give rise to divide and rule policy among people.”
By Our Reporter
