Boko, August 26: Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) Executive Member Arjun Chettri on Wednesday condemned the alleged burning of a vehicle belonging to an Assam Police personnel at Upper Lampi along the Assam-Meghalaya border.
The greater Lampi area falls under Chettri’s Jongakhuli council constituency. According to Assam Police, the Maruti Alto, which was reduced to ashes during the night, belonged to Arvind Roy, a jawan of the 28th Assam Police Battalion.
Chettri said the incident had raised serious security concerns, particularly in the wake of the violence surrounding a Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) rally in Shillong on August 19. Meghalaya Police subsequently arrested three KSU office-bearers in connection with the unrest.
Questioning the KSU’s continued recognition as a students’ organisation, Chettri demanded that the Centre consider banning the organisation. His remarks were directed at the KSU and sections allegedly involved in border-related incidents, though no official link between the organisation and the vehicle-burning incident has been established.
Chettri claimed that sporadic confrontations and tensions had occurred in the Lampi area since 2010, alleging that attempts had been made to exert pressure over Assam’s territory.
Terming the burning of the vehicle a “shameful manifestation of a criminal mindset”, he said the incident had raised questions about the safety of ordinary residents.
“If a vehicle belonging to an Assam Police personnel can be targeted, the safety of the general public in Lampi is also a matter of serious concern,” Chettri said.
He appealed to the Assam Government and law-enforcement agencies to investigate the incident thoroughly and take action against those responsible. While emphasising peace and non-violence, he said the authorities must act firmly to prevent further incidents.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the fragile security situation along the Assam-Meghalaya border and renewed concerns over the safety of residents and security personnel in the area.
 Executive Member Arjun Chettri on Wednesday condemned the alleged burning of a vehicle belonging to an Assam Police personnel at Upper Lampi along the Assam-Meghalaya border.){kind=link}