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1 dead, several injured in Meghalaya mob attack

By The Assam Tribune

SHILLONG, Feb 25 – One worker died while others were injured after a mob attacked these workers at Umoid, South West Khasi Hills district on Wednesday evening. The injured were rushed to the Shillong Civil hospital where they are currently undergoing treatment.

These workers were hired for the construction work at the St. Xavier’s Girls hostel and “had work licenses mandated by the state and every procedure was followed.”

“The injured workers had to be rushed to the Civil Hospital in Shillong because of the severity of injuries. One of the workers, who was badly injured, died within a few hours in the hospital,” Principal and Director of the school, Paul Coelho said.

According to the school authorities, approval was sought from the Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma, Home Minister Lakhmen Rymbui and Law Minister, James Sangma apart from the Deputy Commissioner and local leaders.

The school authorities also met presidents of some NGOs, including the Khasi Students’ Union and Hynniewtrep Youth Council to explain the need for these workers.

“At every stage we were assured of the safety of the workers, acknowledging that our intentions as an educational institution are genuine and the purpose was not to run a for-profit business,” school authorities added.

The CM said the law would take its own course against such criminals. "Those responsible for this kind of act will not be allowed to go freely," Sangma said.

The school authorities said “violence is not an acceptable solution to any problem and a threat to the life or well-being of an innocent worker is not a price that the authorities are willing to accept.”

Therefore, the Education Council of the Jesuit Society for North East India has resolved that “all work in Umoid will indefinitely be kept on hold, including the running of classes, ” Coelho informed.

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