Govt asks Assam police to transfer case

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 10, 2019

SHILLONG: The state government has asked its Assam counterpart to transfer the case registered against a secretary of Hima Nongspung in connection with the recent incident at a village in Ri Bhoi District to Meghalaya.

“…since the place of occurrence falls in Meghalaya’s Balkhawa village, we have already spoken to the Assam counterparts that procedurally the case should be handed over to Meghalaya,” Home Minister James K Sangma told reporters.

This was after a demand made by a delegation of the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) along with Jirang MLA S Sohtun who met him requesting for his intervention into the matter.

The HYC has expressed shocked that the Assam police has arrested the secretary of Hima Nongspung Michael Warjri on an incident which took place well within the territory of the state.

Warjri was brutally attacked by a mob at his residence at New Balkhawa on May 7, which resulted to injuries and damaged to his properties.

The FIR lodged by his daughter, Badarlilin Rani with Nongpoh police station has named 10 persons involved in the incident. She also mentioned that around 30-35 miscreants assaulted her father and damaged the properties.

Rani alleged that around 900 people also dragged her father to the newly constructed bridge at Mulukhi.

When asked, the home minister said Warjri’s arrest was in view of a case related to an attempt to murder which was registered against him by the Assam police for allegedly involving in a scuffle and caused injury to one person.

“We have apprised and given all the facts and details to the chief minister and he will be taking up the matter with his counterpart very soon,” Sangma said.

Stating that the situation is being closely monitored, he however said, “We have adequate force there if there is a need that comes up where more forces are required will take a call on that.”

On the demand to constitute a commission on inter-state boundary, Sangma said the government will discuss the matter and see the merits and demerits before take a call.

Later while speaking to reporters, HYC president Robertjune Kharjahrin has termed the action of the Assam police as a clear cut violation of the Constitution of India and an insult to the state of Meghalaya.

“We demand the government to immediately intervene and to release the victim from the custody of Assam police,” he said, while asking the government to file a case against the Assam government in an appropriate forum for violation of the status quo.

Kharjahrin informed that the home minister has assured the delegation that he would take up the matter adding “He (Sangma) also informed that very soon the meeting of the two chief ministers will be held and all issues related to the inter-state border will be discussed.”