Congress in Meghalaya to target government on coal, attacks on women activists

Meghalaya's opposition Congress is set to corner the National People's Party (NPP)-led government over the murder attempt on frontline women's activist Agnes Kharshiing and her aide over illegal mining and transportation of coal during the one-day special session on Tuesday.

On the other hand, the assembly panel on empowerment of women on Monday called for an independent probe into the November 8 attack on Kharshiing and Amita Sangma at Tuber Sohshrieh, a coal belt area in East Jaintia Hills district.

"As a responsible opposition party, We will raise illegal mining and transportation of coal in the state and the breakdown of the law and order, which led to the murderous attacks on the two women activists," Congress spokesperson Himalaya Muktan Shangpliang told IANS.

On Thursday, Amita Sangma wrote to Director General of Police R Chandranathan accusing Nidamon Chullet, the working president of NPP East Jaintia Hills district, and others, of assaulting and attempting to murder her and Kharshiing, including their driver E Kurbah, on November 8 at Tuber Sohshrieh area in East Jaintia Hills district.

Amita also demanded immediate arrest of Chullet, who is also the president of Jaintia Hills Truck Owners Association, and his aides.

"I appeal to your office to take swift action as it is learnt that Chullet and others who led the attacks belong to the ruling party in the state," she noted.

Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had said he will consult his cabinet colleagues whether the murder attempt on Kharshiing warrants a judicial or a CBI probe.

--IANS

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