Even two months after an alleged incident where personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF) reportedly attacked a family at Kuliang, East Jaintia Hills, no charges have been filed by police in the case.
This was informed by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who is also responsible for the police as Home Minister, today in the Assembly. However, Tynsong, replying to opposition MLA Brightstarwell Marbaniang, added that investigations are complete and the charge sheet is ready to be filed.
Following the incident, a case was registered at Khliehriat women’s police station under the Indian Penal Code and POCSO Act, the latter because one of the victims was a minor.
On the same day, June 20, the complainant and the victims were examined and their statements were recorded. All necessary steps, such as medical examinations, visit to place of occurrence and collecting of evidence were done as per the law, Tynsong told the house.
The FIR was lodged by Martina Pohshna, who stated that on the night of June 19, at approximately 11:30pm, three individuals claiming to be BSF personnel forcefully entered her home.
These individuals were armed with dangerous weapons, including a gun and a dao, and were dressed in civilian clothing. They broke into the house and assaulted her husband, Shanroi Lyngdoh. They also took an axe from the house and attempted to use it against the family.
Despite the efforts of Pohshna and her 15-year-old daughter to disarm the attackers, they were overpowered. The assailants continued to beat Lyngdoh severely, resulting in a broken rib.
Thereafter, at around 12:30am, the same suspected BSF personnel returned with a larger group of more than 15 people and resumed their brutal assault on Lyngdoh.
During the second attack, they forcibly took a phone from the complainant’s teenage daughter and allegedly abused her. According to the FIR, when Pohshna attempted to protect her daughter, she too was assaulted. The attackers further threatened the family with firearms and warned them of future harm.
When the incident came to light, the BSF claimed that the villagers were helping 30-35 Bangladeshi smugglers, who managed to enter India through an unfenced area, in despatching sugar to Bangladesh and they were pursuing this matter when they came into contact with Pohshna and her family. The Kuliang area is a popular site for smuggling of goods as well as people.
