The Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to launch an enquiry into the complaints lodged by a woman from Tura who was arrested from Rimpu Bagan, the farmhouse of arrested BJP leader Bernard Marak.
The 22-year old resident of Upper Wadanang, Tura has lodged a complaint to the MHRC alleging highhandedness by police and denial of her rights after she was arrested in July 22 from Rimpu Bagan.
In a notice issued today, the MHRC asked the DGP to entrust the enquiry to be conducted by an officer not below the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and to submit a report within 15 days.
The commission also directed the Superintendent of District Prison and Correction Services, Tura to submit a detailed report within ten days on the allegations of the complainant that she was slapped in the district jail.
She told the MHRC that on July 22, she along with her male friend visited Rimpu Bagan at around 6:45 pm just to hang out as the place is a popular hangout for young people.
She stated that at 7 pm a police team from Tura reached the place, questioned her and her male friend and also clicked photos of them and their vehicle and asked them not to leave.
The woman complained that she and all those who were in the farmhouse that evening were asked to stand in line and have their photographs taken. She also stated that they were made to stand for five hours in the same place without food or water.
She complained that late in the night they were taken to Tura Civil Hospital and were brought to Tura police station at 3 am. On July 23 at 8:30 am they were taken to Maternity and Child Hospital and forced to undergo a medical test for which she refused. After this, they were brought back to the police station and till 8:30 am they were not given food or water.
She also stated that all their belongings including mobile phones were seized by the investigating officer Mamata Hajong and during the entire time, police did not inform the parents or family members until they were arrested on July 23 and taken to court at 2 am.
She also complained that due to her refusal to undergo a medical test, she along with many others were sent to jail. Later they came to know that they have been charged under the Immoral Trafficking (Prevention) Act. According to her, they were sent to Tura district jail at 1 am of July 25 where she was slapped along with six others by one Purbi.
Stating that she spent ten days in custody, she said that she got bail on August 3. She also said that police branded them as prostitutes.
The woman also stated that as directed, she appeared at Tura police station for giving her statement on August 3 and 17 but her statement was not taken. Again on August 26 she went to the police station at 11 am and was allowed to leave at 7:30 pm.
She expressed that as a woman she was extremely scared that the police were “willfully committing crimes” against her and also created an atmosphere of fear that she will be implicated in things she had no connection with.
She also stated that she is a make-up artist by profession but she was asked by the investigating officer as to whether she was at the farmhouse to sell herself. She also said that she felt mentally harassed on a daily basis due to the fear that her entire life has been turned upside down.
