The Khun Hynñiewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) has demanded constitution of the State-level Police Accountability Commission for safety and accountability of the police to society.
According to KHNAM, the state government is required to constitute the commission as provided under Section 73(2) of the Meghalaya Police Act 2010 in order to bring a sense of accountability within the police force while performing their duty.
Party leader, Thomas Passah said that the commission which should be headed by a chairperson can inquire into public complaints supported by sworn statements against police personnel for serious misconduct.
He said that the recent viral video on how police personnel used abusive language and force on people and even hurled a stun grenade inside a tea shop, during a scuffle with the members of the Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) portrays police excesses, which the government must constitute the commission.
Further, he said that the State government has misused Section 171 IPC to silence voices of those who challenge its non performance.
He also said that the members of HITO wear black clothes with no resemblances to the uniform worn by a public servant. “We do not see batches, ranks or other marks which will makes us believe that the uniform resembles to that of the police department, therefore here too section 105 of the Meghalaya Police Act 2010 have been misused or misinterpreted,” he stated.
On the inclusion of Section 34 IPC with Section 171 against the HITO he said, “We have not heard of any criminal act or charges committed by the NGO which makes it totally illegal to charge them under the section.”
