East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Rituraj Ravi today insisted that the police are ensuring that the rule of law prevails even though a pressure group had taken violent, vigilante action against alleged illegal dwellings in Lum Survey here.
Ravi warned that individuals and organisations must not take the law into their own hands. A case under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) Meghalaya Maintenance Public Order (MMPO) Act was registered in relation to the demolition by the Hynniewtrep Youths Council (HYC) yesterday. HYC members evicted settlers and dismantled the makeshift houses on the site in question.
Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Prestone Tynsong held a closed door meeting with the Principal Secretary of the Home Department, P Shakil Ahmed, Ravi and Deputy Commissioner SC Sadhu.
Tynsong was unable to speak to the media due to a busy schedule.
However, the SP stated that vigilante action was a threat to public order. “It is a threat to peace and law and order and creates fear psychosis in the minds of peace loving citizens. Therefore we act strictly as per provisions of law and wherever such incidents are reported we shall take action,” he warned.
Police are maintaining a high level of alertness throughout the city and district so that such acts are not repeated.
Asked if there were lapses in intelligence, Ravi said that if there were any lapses from any quarter, the police will rectify this to ensure it is not repeated in the future.
Concerning the safety of the supposed illegal settlers, the SP said that they are ensuring that there is police deployment there but since the matter is subjudice he could not comment further.