Shillong: A carpenter from the non-tribal community sustained serious head injuries after he was allegedly attacked by a group of around 15 men at a resort construction site in Laitkynsew near Sohra on Thursday afternoon.
The victim, identified as Rajkumar Sharma, was reportedly assaulted during an incident that took place around 2:45 pm at a tourism project being developed by the Centrepoint Group, a Meghalaya-based hospitality company.
According to reports, the group of youths, who allegedly claimed affiliation with the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), entered the project site and confronted labourers working there. The situation later turned violent, leaving Sharma critically injured and requiring hospitalisation.
The incident has once again raised concerns over repeated instances of pressure groups conducting inspections related to labour documentation and work permits on their own. Similar confrontations in the past have led to violent outcomes, including the killing of Arjun Ray at Mawlai Mawroh in April last year.
Reacting strongly to the incident, Centrepoint Group Managing Director Larsing LD Sawyan condemned the attack, describing it as an unlawful act of violence.
In a statement, Sawyan said the assault was not only an attack on a private company but also on the constitutional rights of citizens to earn a livelihood and work with dignity and security. He added that businesses with a long-standing contribution to Meghalaya’s economy should not be subjected to intimidation or violence.
The company, which describes itself as a homegrown Meghalaya brand, said it currently employs over 680 people across its operations. Sawyan warned that such incidents could undermine investor confidence and create fear among workers, particularly in sectors such as tourism, where the state has significant growth potential.
He also urged the authorities to take swift legal action against those responsible and called on citizens to collectively denounce violence and lawlessness.
Meanwhile, the Meghalaya Rural Tourism Forum (MRTF) expressed concern over the incident, saying such acts damage the state’s reputation as a peaceful and welcoming tourist destination.
MRTF president Alan West Kharkongor said Meghalaya’s tourism industry and investment climate could suffer if incidents of intimidation and violence continue unchecked. He noted that Centrepoint Group has played a significant role in boosting tourism and economic activity in the state.
Kharkongor further stressed that any grievances must be addressed through legal and democratic means, not through force or intimidation. He urged law enforcement agencies to conduct a fair investigation and ensure that those involved are held accountable, irrespective of their affiliations.
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