Incident in the Meghalaya capital triggers serious concerns among Muslims over safety, rights and equal protection under law in a sensitive region
SHILLONG — Tension has been reported in Meghalaya’s capital after members of a right-wing student group allegedly forced the closure of a mosque and threatened its imam, leaving the local Muslim community worried about their safety.
The incident took place in the Lower Lumparing area of Shillong, where the Khasi Students Union (KSU) is said to have intervened and shut down the Lumparing mosque. According to local reports, the group claimed that the mosque was operating without proper permission.
Members of the organisation reached the spot on Tuesday and asked those present to stop religious activities. Eyewitnesses said the group acted without waiting for any formal administrative order.
A resident said, “People were scared. They came in a group and forced the place to shut. No one expected this to happen in such a manner.”
The imam of the mosque was also allegedly threatened and told to vacate the premises immediately. According to community members, this created panic among those living nearby.
One member of the Muslim community said, “This is not just about a building. It is about our right to pray and live without fear. We feel unsafe after this incident.”
On the other hand, a representative of KSU, Shine Shiningstar Chin, claimed that the structure was not authorised. He said, “This place was meant for a caretaker of the nearby graveyard, but it was later used as a mosque without permission. We have raised this issue earlier as well.”
He further stated that the local traditional body had already looked into the matter and instructed that the structure should not be used as a mosque. However, these claims could not be independently verified at the time of reporting.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, there has been no official statement yet from the district administration or police authorities. This silence has raised concerns among observers, who say that such incidents require an immediate and clear response to maintain trust and order.
A legal observer said, “If any structure is unauthorised, action must be taken through proper legal process. Groups cannot take the law into their own hands.”
So far, no violence has been reported, but the situation remains tense. Many residents are now calling for the protection of religious rights and equal treatment under the law.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns among minority communities about safety and the need for authorities to act promptly in sensitive matters.
