Kharshiingh released from hospital

Agnes Kharshiing, RTI activist and green warrior was on Monday released from the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), a month after she was brutally attacked by the coal mafia in East Jaintia Hills.

We have discharged Agnes at around 4 pm today since her condition has improved significantly, NEIGRIHMS spokesperson Dr K K Pandita said in a statement.

He said home medication and medical advice is recommended and she is asked to attend follow up in OPD of neurosurgery, psychiatry and orthopaedics department of the hospital.

Kharshiing and her aide Amita Sangma were attacked by a group of 30-40 people instigated by coal mafia on November 8 at Shohshrieh area of the district in the East Jaintia Hills district.

She had suffered five wounds in her head, a broken arm and was kept in the critical care unit of the hospital for two weeks.

Pandita said Kharshiings her broken arm was operated on November 28 after which she recovered quickly.

The state government is bearing all the medical expenses of both the activists following a high court order.

The state government has ordered a judicial probe into the attack, while Kharshiingh and her family members had demanded a CBI investigation.

Sagma had been released a fortnight ago.

The opposition Congress citing complete lawlessness in the coal mining belts of the state too demanded that the probe into the matter be handed over to the central investigating agency.

The November 8 attack had sparked controversy on how the state has been handling the ban on coal mining and transportation.

Till date only six persons were arrested in this connection.