SHILLONG, MAY 27: ANVC (B) has sought the intervention of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) into ongoing turmoil in Garo hills relating to the torture case of 12 girls, the custodial death of Balsan S Marak and the designated camps for outfit’s members.
In a letter to the MHA joint secretary in-charge north east Sambhu Singh ANVC(B) chairman Rimpu N Marak said, “The truth has been manipulated by West Garo Hills district SP and several innocent people implicated, defamed, tortured and harassed in the name of law, on which I appeal your intervention and action,”
Rimpu said an innocent boy late Balsan S Marak was illegally detained, implicated and tortured by Tura police, who later succumbed to his internal injuries on May 20 in Civil Hospital.
Stating that late Balsan S Marak is another victim who felt prey to the police high handedness, Marak said, Balsan S Marak was severely beaten by SOTs of SP Mukesh Kumar Singh outside the main thana before he was taken in for statement.
Rimpu also pointed out that one of the SOTs was identified as Govind Newar who is SP’s personal guard. The SOTs were in civil dress and anyone would have mistaken them for militants, he said adding “Balsan’s arm was broken on the spot and had internal injuries on the day he was implicated.”
Pointing out that this is just one of those many cases which have turned youths of Garo Hills aggressive and rebellious, Marak said, “SP Mukesh Kumar Singh has booked many innocent people under unbailable sections on apprehension that they are a potential threat to ‘them’. Police did not act upon the counter FIR against trespassing and mishandling which was filed by Jaynie Sangma, one of the arrested activists. That FIR included names of some ANVCs.”
Rimpu alleged that the SP manipulated the witnesses and implicated many innocent people, including his own sister who witnessed the ANVC cadres and SOTs (Special Operation Team) gathering near her residence at Burny Hills before they barged into Jaynie Sangma’s house.
Rimpu also claimed that the case has been manipulated at different stages and would remain one sided if police do not arrest the people mentioned in the counter FIR which will ultimately reveal who actually tortured the girls after they were brought out from Jaynie’s house.
Rimpu also stated in the letter that the ANVCs and SOTs pose threat to the victims and the public. He said that taking out the girls had the blessing of SP to hide elements that the victims revealed to the activists. The girls were being counselled by the Church leaders at Jaynie’s house since there was no Shelter Home in Tura, he stated adding “It is understood that many names, including legislators and officers have been revealed by the victims.”
According to Rimpu, later the five activists who kept the identity of the 12 girls confidential were implicated thus turning the case upside down.
Stating that the parents of the girls gave consent for the counselling and the SP knew everything as he was constantly contacted by these activists, Rimpu alleged, “Each file and confession of the girls has been wiped out.”
Rimpu, however, informed that there is one person who accompanied the ANVCs who surrendered and is presently lodged in Tura jail who witnessed the actual torture on the girls.
Meanwhile, the ANV(B) also sought the intervention of the MHA into the delay by the state government in finalizing the camps and schemes for rehabilitation for the outfit’s members.
Rimpu said in the letter that the outfit has submitted their cadre list on January 25. Since then, the outfit has been waiting for the finalization of the camps and schemes for rehabilitation for their cadres but the state government has not finalized the camps nor has it made any attempt to communicate with the outfit on any matter.
According to Rimpu because of the government failure to finalise the camp the outfit’s cadres are scattered and some deserted the group floating new organisations due to constant provocation and attempts to implicate them by the state police. He said, “Most of my senior members are behind bars and some still being hunted.”
Rimpu reiterated that the outfit had responded to the call for peace and in spite of humiliation and loss it stayed on.
Rimpu said in the letter, “We therefore, urge you to intervene taking up this matter seriously for peace in Garo hills giving us a home to live and rehabilitation packages to survive.” Marak added, “I beg you to kindly intervene, delivering action and justice for the interest of Garo people.”
Rimpu also informed that the Garos are not aggressive by nature but circumstances, such as these have turned them into one. He said, “We would not want our youths to turn into rebels due to lack of good governance and lawlessness.”- By Our Reporter
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