Lawsohtun files FIR against Padmashree awardee for inciting communal tension

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 6, 2020

The Dorbar Shnong of Lawsohtun on Monday sought action against the Padmashree awardee Patricia Mukhim for allegedly inciting communal tension on a recent incident where five boys were attacked while playing basketball in the locality.

“…an offence under section 153 A, 505 and 499 of Indian Penal Code has been made out and kindly register an FIR against her and proceed in accordance with law,” Headman of Lawsohtun Lurshai Shylla said in a complaint submitted to the East Khasi Hills superintendent of police Sylvester Nongtnger.

The complaint said that the facebook post made by Patricia Mukhim, where she had stated that – “the attackers were tribal boys and should be immediately booked. This continued attack on non-tribal in Meghalaya whose ancestors have lived here for decades, some having come here since the British period is reprehensible to say the least. The fact that such attackers and trouble mongers since 1979 have never been arrested and if arrested never penalized according to law suggests that Meghalaya has been a failed state for a long time now.”

“The Dorbar Shnong feels that this statement incites communal tension and may instigate a communal conflict which may spread to the entire state thereby; because of her post mentioning the 1979 conflict some media houses in West Bengal had publicized the issue by giving a communal colour thereby putting all Khasis outside the state in extreme danger,” it said.

The complaint further accused Mukhim of defaming not only the Dorbar Shnong of Lawsohtun but also the entire village without any basis and without knowing anything about the matter and has put the entire village in a very bad light.

Boys assaulted in Shillong

“This is nothing short than an act of defamation based on lies and ignorance,” it said.

The post by Mukhim had also read – “and what about the Dorbar Shnong of the area? Don’t they have their eyes and ears to the ground? Don’t they know the criminal elements in their jurisdiction? Should they not lead the charge and identify those murderous elements?

Meanwhile, the Dorbar Shnong also reminded that the state police in a statement on July 4 had stated that stern warning to any individual who incites or breaches communal peace and harmony, as stringent action as per relevant provisions of law will be taken against them.