Complainants targeted by police

SHILLONG, APR 12: A complaint filed by villagers in Khapmara police outpost in Ri Bhoi district against the rampant felling trees was allegedly turned into a case of “breach of peace” by the police. Earlier  the Civil Society Women’s Organization (CSWO) had filed an FIR against illegal felling of trees on forest land with the said police outpost after receiving complaint from the villagers.

CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing complains in a statement issued on Sunday, “Police instead registered the case under section 107 CrPC, which denotes that persons are likely to commit a breach of peace.”  She informed Upper Klew villagers have reported rampant felling of trees in the forest land disregarding the environment and destruction of water bodies.

The CSWO visited the area and found saw mills at Mawblang village, falling under Raid Kyrdem Ri Bhoi district and found logs all along the road leading to Upper Klew, Kharshiing informed.

Questioning as to how the village people, who reported illegal felling of trees, will be a threat to breach of peace, Kharshiing said, “This is a clear misrepresentation of facts and not what the FIR contains.”

Kharshiing demanded that the state government directs the police not turn complainants or mislead the investigation and make proper report based on the complaints mentioned in the FIR. She said, “The CSWO also urge the District Council and the forest department to clamp down on the illegal felling of trees and converge with police when reports are made in the best interest of protection the state resources,” she said.

Stating that in despite big talk of climate change and deforestation by Meghalaya government, she said the government machinery don’t work to protect such forests and when complaints are lodge with the police they sent the complainants to the forest or the Syiem.

Kharshhing questioned as to how a common man will know where to go when he wants to make a complaint but the police station.  She said the government should see that police stations/ outposts works with concerned authorities and investigate based on the FIR .- By Our Reporter