Over 500 Laborers, Affected by Violence in Meghalaya, Return to Assam

Jorabat, March 5, 2020:

In the aftermath of the violence in Meghalaya that left as many as 3 people dead within a span of 2 days, around 500 daily-wage laborers from Assam were "rescued" from the neighboring state and shifted back to the State from the vicinity of the Sela. In the wee hours of the morning on Thursday (around 2 am), they were brought back to Assam's Jorabat and are now heading to their homes.

According to reports, the people from Assam who were living in the locality were hiding in the jungles in order to escape from the violence. The Assamese people, after returning, have claimed that they were living in fear amid the clashes that had erupted.

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"These daily wage laborers -- employed as masons, miners -- Bholaganj were .  A few dats ago, there was an argument between pro-CAA and anti-CAA activists. In Meghalaya, the migrants came under suspicion. Some were reportedly beaten and they wished to return. They were rescued in Bholaganj -- where more than 500 laborers from Dhubri work. In a truck, 57 people were brought in a truck to Sela, and they were left off", a source informed Inside Northeast.

The source also informed that at 8 pm, the people were hiding in the forest, not too far from the police station. Later, Badruddin Ajmal's PA also tried to contact the police, but to no avail. Later, Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma and Assam DGP Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta were alerted. At 2 am in the wee hours today, they were rescued the morning. Further, at least 500 more people are said to be in Sela, awaiting rescue, and they will reportedly be evacuated sometime later tonight.

According to reports, the people, who were mostly working as laborers in the area when the clashes erupted, were relocated.

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