Support independent journalism! Join us: bit.ly/3Rz1uCH
On April 10, when 52-year-old Arjun Ray left for work at Mawlai-Mawroh, little did he know that his planned trip to Bihar for April 15 would never materialise.
Born and brought up in Rynjah, Shillong, Ray worked as a daily wager painting houses for several years. He and his 25-year-old son Mukesh Rai lived at a rented house in Nongmensong while his wife and daughters lived in Bihar. Ray, along with his neighbours, had booked a train ticket to Bihar. The family were looking forward to meeting after a gap of eleven months.
Like every other day, Ray’s wife Asha Devi spoke to her husband at 8 am before he left for work, and they were to call each other again during lunch break. However, when she did not get the call, she sensed things were not right.
Arjun Ray was beaten to death by five masked miscreants with a crowbar. The other two were beaten too, but managed to run for their lives. Ray, due to his age, couldn’t outrun them and paid the ultimate price.
The attack took place at around 11 am on April 10. The six miscreants demanded the three victims produce their labour cards, to which they responded that it was with the house owner. The miscreants then started beating the three. One of the injured victims was able to unmask one of the attackers.
Fearing a similar fate to his father, Mukesh Ray has decided to wrap up his belongings and return to Bihar to look after his family. The two injured in the attack have also gone back to Bihar, fearing for their lives.
Mukesh Ray will now look after his wife, his mother, and his youngest sister, who is 17 years old. He makes an income painting homes.
“I don’t feel safe to stay in Shillong anymore. My father was murdered while at work. We’re lost for words, but all that we can say is we want justice,” said Mukesh.
Arjun’s brother, Suraj Ray, also a daily wager, told EastMojo that non-tribals are unsafe here. “Whoever comes here to work ends up getting attacked. Who is responsible for these attacks? Who will look after this family now with the demise of my brother?” he asked.
The last rites of Arjun Ray were carried out on Friday, with all the people from the society coming together to pitch in.
The local MLA of the constituency AL Hek also paid a visit to the family and has assured to take it up with the chief minister and central leaders as well.
Arjun Ray’s wife is yet to come to terms with the loss of her husband. The couple were meant to unite after 11 months, but it will never happen now. She said she could not afford to lose her only son, Mukesh, so she would take him to Bihar and find other jobs.
#EastMojo #EastStory #NorthEastIndia
*****
Subscribe: / @eastmojoofficial
*****
Visit our website: www.eastmojo.com/
Facebook: / eastmojo
Twitter: / eastmojo
Instagram: / east.mojo
*****