Shillong, Feb 19: Headmen, farmers, a pressure group and others have signed a joint complaint against police in Adokgre, North Garo Hills, for rampant cattle smuggling, extortion and other illegal activities.
The complaint was addressed to the Director General of Police and was dated January 29.
AHAM, Adokgre Unit President Marchborn R Marak said no action has been taken yet after the complaint was made.
The complainants named Chingman T Sangma, an Unarmed Branch Sub-Inspector (UBSI) who is in charge of the Adokgre anti-dacoity camp, by name for his alleged role in the illegalities.
The complainants stated that Adokgre is at the heart of an international cattle smuggling operation between Assam and Bangladesh. Although the police have been intimated about this, no action has been taken to curb the smuggling, the letter to the DGP said.
More than 500 cattle are smuggled along this route weekly, the signatories claimed, and the police’s lack of action led them to take matters into their own hands and they nabbed smugglers and cattle at one point before handing them over to police. To their shock, the police reportedly released the suspected smugglers without any legal action against them.
The complainants then alleged that Chingman Sangma, “in active collusion with certain local elements” was extorting money from betel nut and broomstick farmers, who felt themselves forced to pay for fear of reprisals.
Since assuming charge in Adokgre, Chingman has also, the complaint added, allowed open gambling to be conducted in Adokgre market. The DGP was requested to initiate an impartial departmental inquiry against Chingman, suspend or transfer him while the inquiry is ongoing, register FIRs regarding the cattle smuggling and take other measures in the interest of justice, public safety and the rule of law.
