MHRC directs DGP to submit report into Umwali incident

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 18, 2019

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has sought a detailed report into the February 14-clash incident between Khasi villagers and Assam police at Umwali village, Langpih in West Khasi Hills District.

MHRC member PJP Hanaman in his order passed on March 27 said, “Issue notice to the Director General of Police to cause an enquiry to be conducted into the allegations made by the complainants by an officer not below the rank of deputy inspector general of police (DIGP) and submit the detailed report within 30 days…”

The Commission has taken cognizance of the complaints filed by the Congress legislator from Rambrai-Jyrngam Kimfa S Marbaniang and the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) against the Assam police for allegedly violating the human rights of the people.

This was following the recent clash that broke out between the Khasi villagers and Assam police when the later had objected the erection of electrical poles by the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) at Umwali village on February 14.

The complainants have alleged that some men and women of the village were mercilessly beaten up by the jawans of the 4^th Assam police battalion led by Assistant sub-inspector of police K Ch Roy during the incident.

They also stated that women were subjected to the high-handedness and atrocities at the hand of the Assam police while they were assisting the MeECL in setting up electrical poles in their village.