Meghalaya's ruling NPP leader arrested in attack on women rights activists

A senior leader of the ruling National People's Party in Meghalaya, an accused in the murderous attack on two women rights activists fighting against illegal mining of coal in the state, has been arrested, an official said on Thursday.

Nidamon Chullet, the NPP leader, surrendered at Khliehriat police station on Christmas day after evading police over a month and a half following assault on the two women activists, a police officer said.

Another accused in the assault case, Cheerful Ryngkhlem, surrendered to the police on Wednesday at Khliehriat police station.

"We have arrested them and police are interrogating them," said Sylvester Nongtnger, the district police chief of East Jaintia Hills.

The family members of two prominent women rights activists had urged Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to recommend a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the incident.

Agnes Kharshiing and Amita Sangma have been fighting against illegal mining and transportation of coal in the state. They were brutally attacked after they photographed coal-laden trucks on November 8 at Tuber Sohshrieh area in East Jaintia Hills district.

The National Green Tribunal had ordered an interim ban on "rat-hole" coal mining in Meghalaya from April 17, 2014.

The Conrad Sangma-led government had ordered an independent probe in the matter.-IANS