Garodubi incident: Opp Cong alleges partiality by police

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 28, 2021

The opposition Congress on Thursday filed a petition before the Returning Officer for Rajabala bypoll seeking action on the FIR lodged by the party in connection with the stone-pelting incident to ensure free and fair election.

“I on behalf of the Indian National Congress, demand immediate necessary action as per the law and create a conducive atmosphere to ensure free and fair election,” West Garo Hills District Congress Committee president and Rangsakona legislator Zenith Sangma said in the petition.

Speaking to media persons, Sangma said that a copy of the petition was also forwarded to the state’s chief electoral officer (CEO), general observer, district election officer and the law enforcing agency.

He said there was a clash between two groups from the Congress and the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) at Garodubi on Wednesday, after the election campaign ended.

“In the clash, what will happen we will never know but justice has to be given because there has been pelting of stones on many people and lots of injuries including head injuries, who had to be hospitalized,” he said.

Sangma informed that the party had filed an FIR in this connection so also a counter FIR was filed from the NPP side.

Alleging partiality on the part of the police, the DCC president said, “On the contrary what happened, the police has acted only on the FIR filed by the NPP group and they have not acted upon the FIR filed by the Congress party supporters. (This can) be seen as being partial. In the eyes of the law and the general observation of the people at large is that there is partiality in enforcing the law.”

He continued, “Therefore during the election, this should not be there. There has been circulation that the police are in favour of the ruling party and that should not be the perception so this action of the police is creating a vitiating environment which will affect the free and fair election and creating fear psychosis among the people.”

The Congress leader demanded that the police should act on both the FIRs and necessary action should be taken to ensure free and fair elections.