The Garoland State Movement Committee (GSMC) has condemned the Circle Inspector of Mendipathar police station for refusing to register the pressure group’s counter FIR against the owners of a petrol station which it accused of swindling consumers.
On January 5, several members of the GSMC, including its chairman Balkarin Marak, senior leaders Ryan Marak and Rahul Marak along with other members were accused by the owner of the petrol station of attempting to extort a sum of Rs 10 lakh. When the owner refused to pay, he said in his police complaint, the GSMC members filled the tanks of their vehicles and left without payment.
Based on the FIR, four members of the pressure group were arrested by police.
However, In a press release on Friday, the GSMC stated that the complaint, made to police by depot manager Rohit Jain and the owner Shripal Jain, was studded with inaccuracies and lies.
Superintendent of Police Abraham T Sangma explained that when the GSMC leader who came to the police station was asked to furnish his full details, including address and names of parents, he refused.
“As it is a legal matter, we cannot take an FIR based on the civil society organization designation. Furthermore, the matter of less fuel being given needs to be informed to the Deputy Commissioner, Legal Metrology Department or the Consumer Court for redressal. What expertise do we have in such matters?” the SP stated.
Nevertheless, the GSMC said that the CI had used “unacceptable speech and acrimonious words”.
“We are not enemies of our police department and we are not robbers or dacoits. We are working for the interests of the citizens,” GSMC leaders Rimjen Ch Sangma and Medison B Marak said.
They urged the Deputy Commissioner to look into the issue.
