The Voice of the People (VPP) today alleged that the Home (Police) Department was carrying out vendetta politics against those who choose to be critical of the State government.
“The party condemns the style of functioning of the Home (Police) Department which falls under the charge of the Deputy Chief Minister of the State. It is clearly visible to any sensible human being that the department follows a vendetta politics against those who choose to be critical of the State government,” VPP spokesperson Batskhem Myrboh said.
The VPP also said that the invocation of Sections 171 and 34 of the IPC and Section 105 of the Meghalaya Police Act, 2010 against the Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) revealed the abuse of power by the Police Department.
“The Police Department has grossly misinterpreted the provisions of law to make a false case against the organisation. It may be noted that the HITO directly and openly campaigned against the NPP and especially the Home Minister in the last Assembly election,” the VPP alleged.
Condemning the police personnel involved in the “disproportionate use of force” against the unarmed public on September 4 in the city during the march of the HITO causing distress to the common citizens who had to face the brunt of the police brutality, the VPP said, “The action of the Police Department at Thangskai and at Shillong and the incidents in the recent past strongly suggests that the Meghalaya Police personnel are mentally and psychologically weak to handle even slightest provocation.”
“Stringent action must be taken against the concerned police officers on duty for the decision leading to brutal action by the police personnel and other violations of professional ethics including using slang words publicly without any restraint,” the party added.
It also demanded compensation to all the injured persons and those who have suffered other form of losses by this “unwarranted action by the police personnel”.
The VPP also asked Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong to own responsibility and ensure that his department conducts itself professionally and in a restrained manner befitting a democratic system.
