TURA, MAY 9: West Garo hills police on Friday arrested five activists of ngos in a case of illegal confinement, kidnapping and torture of twelve teenagers. They were produced in the session court on Friday evening and remanded to 14 days judicial custody.
It is alleged that teenagers were held captive for eight day by the ‘activists’ in the rented residence of Jaynie Ningring N. Sangma at Danakgre, in the outskirt of Tura town.
The teenagers were allegedly picked up from their residence on the allegation that they were indulging in “illegal sex trade”.
West Garo Hills SP, Mukesh Singh said, “We have taken up a suo moto case based on the statement of the 12 victims. It is a serious violation of the law. We will take best legal recourse available to ensure justice to the victims”.
The five accused have been identified as Jaynie Ningring N. Sangma (37), Babiana M. Sangma (42), Merryln D. Shira (52), Konica S. Sangma (37), and Lonavi R. Sangma (34).
The victims were rescued by locals late Thursday evening and brought to the police station for safe custody. The rescue took place after one of the victim’s relative raise commotion when she visited the rented residence of Jaynie Ningring N. Sangma, where the teenage girls were held captive.
Tura police women cell recorded the statement of the victims on Friday, wherein they mentioned the inhumane torture meted out to them during the eight days captivity.
Singh said, “The injuries are serious in nature according to medical report”. The victims have bruise marks on their lower private parts, buttocks and legs.
Police have registered case under section 365 (kidnapping, abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine a person), 387 (putting person in fear of death or of grievous hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 342 (punishment for wrongful confinement), 343 (wrongful confinement for three days, or more), 120-B (punishment for criminal conspiracy) and 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons).
The activists, however, claimed that deputy commissioner, Pravin Bakshi had authorized them to conduct raid and arrest. However, Bakshi rebutted the claims saying, “I have only asked them to provide information to the police and accompany while the raids are conducted”.
The activists had approached Bakshi on Sunday. SP Mukesh Singh said, “The activists have never approached us. We have no written or verbal information. We will go as per the law. They have never given us any complaint whatsoever. It is a strong case of crime against women”.
On the allegation of sex racket, Singh said, “If during the course of investigation, it is found out, we will deal with the matter accordingly”. He, however, made it clear that it is not the duty of the ngos or the activists to conducted raids as this is beyond their power”.
“If somebody is creating nuisance in public place, they can be arrested by police only. The victims were not caught in the act”, he added.
The victims told the police that they were picked up from their residence, in presence of their parents. Out of 12, five were picked up from Chasingre by the activists on Sunday when they were returning from Williamnagar after attending a farewell party of their college.
The five girls were taken by the activists on the pretext of giving them counseling claiming that they had the approval of their parents.
One of the victims, who is six months pregnant said, “I was picked up by the NGOs saying that the DC had authorized them to take us in their custody. They have assaulted me and said that they will keep my baby
with them”.
The victim also informed that the activists threatened them saying, “If you try to run away from the captivity, they will ask the GNLA militants to kill us. It seems they have sent our pictures to them”.
The activists, however, are claiming that they wanted to reform the girls, who were into illegal trade and provide them rehabilitation, as per DC’s recommendation. However Bakshi retorted, “I have never given them such order. They said that they want to take the girls for counseling under pastor’s guidance”.
Bakshi said that the police will do a thorough investigation into this case. The statement of the victims will be scrutinized and the enquiry by the police is a must, he added.
Meanwhile Bakshi also informed that the activists who have been arrested have also filed an FIR alleging that their house was stormed and they too have been assaulted. He said investigation on this particular allegation is also on. – By Our Reporter
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