‘Impostor’ duo families allege frame-up, move NHRC against police

SHILLONG, DEC 23: The family members of the two persons, Danny Dkhar and Robert Kharsati, who were arrested for impersonating as personnel of the special operation team (SOT) have moved the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), pleading their innocence and accusing the police of labeling trumped up charges against them.

In a joint petition filed before the NHRC here on Sunday, Kopsi Dkhar and Banisha Khriemujat, the relatives of the duo, alleged the police had tortured them and forced them to confess to a crime that they had never committed. “We urge action against the police, and (ask them) to stop (resorting to) such torture to force confessions for crimes not done,” said the relatives.

Danny from Madanryting and Robert from Smit village were arrested from the East Khasi Hills district on Friday for impersonating as police commandos, and a fake pistol recovered from their possession. They have been charged with robbery and kidnapping.

The two are accused of posing as personnel of the special operation team (SOT) of the police and robbing a person at Dhankheti at around 9:30 p.m. on November 22, and kidnapping the driver of a tourist taxi, Pynshai Rymbai, from Laitumkhrah on December 8.

The family members, however, said the two were drug addicts and wanted to take on a person who was selling drugs, and that person is Pynshai Rymbai. “They thought they would act as local toughs and stop the peddler from selling drugs. They used a lighter to scare the peddler and demand a fine. However, Rymbai lodged a complaint with the police accusing them of extortion and kidnapping,” they said.

After their arrest on December 20, the East Khasi Hills Police secured their remand, and tricked them into signing a confession statement for crimes that had not committed. “It was in the morning of December 22, we met them in the police lockup at Laitumkhrah. They appeared to have beaten black and blue by the police and were crying for help. They had injuries on their ribs and feet. The soles of their feet were swollen and they couldn’t walk. It was only after our repeated pleas, they were taken to the hospital,” the relatives alleged. (By Our Reporter)