Meghalaya Governor criticises attack on non-tribal boys, says ‘Nobody is an outsider’

July 9: Meghalaya Governor, Tathagata Roy severely criticised the attack on 5 non-tribal youths in the state and categorically stated that “Nobody is an outsider.” In a serious of tweets, the Meghalaya Governor wrote, “Sometimes some good emerges from evil. Attack on five non-tribal boys who were playing basketball at Lawsohtun,Shillong,by a masked gang of 20-apparently all tribals-has brought forth strident criticism from prominent tribal citizens like Ms Patricia Mukhim and Albert Thyrniang.”

Tathagata Roy also tweeted, “I have discussed this matter at length with the CM who is quite seized of the seriousness of the matter and has assured me of appropriate action. I have also tried to impress upon him that non-tribals in Shillong are a beleaguered lot and it is the duty of the State government to restore their morale; that NOBODY IS AN ‘OUTSIDER’ in this state; that all citizens have equal rights here except to the extent abridged by competent legislation; that sovereign functions of the state like policing,taxation,etc. cannot be outsourced to NGOs;that NGOs cannot also be permitted to usurp such sovereign functions. I also told him that I will not consider myself a Governor worth the name if I cannot assure non-tribals of their rights.”

that NGOs cannot also be permitted to usurp such sovereign functions. I also told him that I will not consider myself a Governor worth the name if I cannot assure non-tribals of their rights.
The CM has agreed with me completely and assured me he will do his best to restore

— Tathagata Roy (@tathagata2) July 9, 2020

The Governor of Meghalaya then went on further and wrote, “The CM has agreed with me completely and assured me he will do his best to restorethe morale and status of non-tribals in the state. I have great faith in him.I have also noted that Indian citizens from other states have begun to take an interest in the tribal/non-tribal relations in Meghalaya. Meanwhile Union Ministry of Home Affairs has been kept in the loop.”

Infact, this incident took place on 3 July. As per reports, the five boys, who are from different localities of Shillong, came to play basketball at Lawsohtun block VI and have been coming to the ground for the past two weeks. East Mojo in a report stated that a gang of around 20 persons armed with iron rods and sticks attacked the 6 boys and started beating them ruthlessly. The 5 injured were then taken to Woodland Hospital.

My request to @SangmaConrad and @himantabiswa to ensure that the culprits who beat up the 5 non tribal students at #lawsohtun #Shillong be booked and action taken.
Burdened with pandemic #discrimination not solicited ! pic.twitter.com/7AGaEZmuPU

— Dr Rajdeep Roy MP ( MS, MCh) (@drrajdeeproy) July 4, 2020

The incident had raised anger among many and social media is flooded with demand for justice. Meanwhile, Mp Silchar Dr. Rajdeep Roy on 4 July morning took serious note of this brutal incident and tweeted, “My request to @SangmaConrad and @himantabiswato ensure that the culprits who beat up the 6 non tribal students at #lawsohtun #Shillong be booked and action taken. Burdened with pandemic #discrimination not solicited !” Responding to the tweet of MP Silchar, Meghalaya Police replied, “A criminal case has already been registered in this regard. Further investigation is on.”

However, the incident has resulted in sharp reaction from the non-tribal community of Meghalaya. Twitter is flooded with demand for booking the culprits immediately. Racism in any of the form is not welcome. Airing grievance, MP Silchar Rajdeep Roy said, “Such instances are not new in Meghalaya. Over the last 10 years, many hundreds of such brutal incidents occurred in Meghalaya and always the perpetrators of such heinous act goes scotfree.” A twitterati stated that since 1979 in Meghalaya, not a single case of atrocities has seen its logical conclusion.

Also Read: 6 youths brutally assaulted in Meghalaya, MP Silchar airs serious grievance