By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, JAN 10: Nathanial Osbert Rymmai-the proprietor of the controversial Marvelene’s Inn and son of state home minister HDR Lyngdoh-said that they have been cooperating with the police investigation into the sexual exploitation of the minor girl that rocked the city and also led to the arrest of legislator Julius Dorphang and others.
Rymmai told a news conference on Tuesday, “ From day one we have been cooperating with the police and will continue to do so in this investigation.”.
Rymmai informed that his Inn will take police suggestions on measures to be taken to ensure that incidents of violence against women and children are prevented from recurring in guest houses/hotels.
The Marvelene’s Inn is one among the guest houses where the 14-year-old minor girl was reportedly sexually exploited by many including the legislator who had been arrested from Guwahati.
“We will have to tighten security and also take police suggestions on how to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the near future,” Rymmai said.
Reacting to a query, he said the management of the Inn needs to have a clear view from the police whether local people residing in the city but want to hire rooms in the guest house are legally allowed.
An FIR has also been filed by the Thma U Rangli Juki (TUR) and Civil Society Women’s Organization (CSWO) against the proprietor/owner/management of Marvelene Inn under Section 21 (1) of the POCSO Act.
The ngos have sought action against the guest house for its failure to report the commission on the offence or apprehension that criminal act is likely to be committed under POCSO.
Rymmai defended against the accusation of the ngos saying, “How will you report when you are not aware of such thing is taking place in the guest house,” adding “We also urged people not to be misled because we are not involved in the incident.”
Stating that now it has become important to ensure justice is given to the victim girl misused by many people and said he and his family opposed misuse of our guest house which tarnished the image of the family.
On the other hand, the guest house manager Edmund Kharir said had the Inn’s management been involved they would have moved for anticipatory bail but didn’t as they had nothing to do in the case.
He informed that the incident came to light only when the police turn up in the guest house and later arrested the waiter Usha Deb Barman alias Bhaiti.
“He (Bhaiti) was a trusted employee who has been working for over 5 years in the guest house but he turned out to be the main person who took those exploiters to room 302 without the knowledge of the management,” he said.
He also claimed that the home minister had given a free hand to the police to investigate into the case which led to arrest of many people involved in exploiting the minor girl.
He informed that the management registers all guests who come to the guest house and also sent daily report to the police.
When query was raised about the CCTV, Rymmai clarified that the CCTVs installed in the guest house were not functioning since November 28, due to lightning, earthquake and other reasons.
Meanwhile, a public rally has been called by the TUR and CSWO on January 11 to demand dropping of the home minister in order to ensure free and fair investigation into the case.
However, Rymmai said that he fails to understand why such demand is being raised when his father has nothing to do with the functioning of the guest house, which was established in 2013.
Normally people seal the crime scene. But in this case they didnt seal the Gueast House and HDR is claiming that he is not influencing the investigation. Why only the house of the pimp seized???? HDR should be dropped from the Ministry. This is a land where Women are respected and valued.