Eric Nongkhlaw, President of the Khasi Students Union (KSU) Nongthymmai Circle, was arrested late on July 10 following allegations of assaulting labourers during work permit checks, sparking a contentious debate within the organization.
Reacting to the arrest, Richard Mawkhiew, Vice President of KSU Nongthymmai Circle, criticized the timing of the police action, questioning the decision to apprehend Nongkhlaw during nighttime rather than daylight hours.
Despite the arrest, Mawkhiew affirmed KSU’s commitment to verifying work permits for labourers arriving from outside the state, asserting that their efforts would continue unabated.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma confirmed four cases related to the alleged assault and emphasized that the checks conducted by KSU are illegal under existing laws.
The arrest of Eric Nongkhlaw and subsequent responses underscore the ongoing tensions surrounding labourer verification practices in Meghalaya, raising significant questions about legality and procedural fairness in such operations.