By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: In what could be another case of high-handedness by traditional bodies, a woman in her 60s was arrested by the Ri Bhoi police following an FIR lodged by president of the Seng Longkmie of Umtham, Marngar in Ri Bhoi District for allegedly committing theft and threatening the complainant even as the accused claimed to be the real victim.
Usti Syiem was arrested following a series of FIRs and counter FIRs filed at Marngar and sources allege that police intimated the victim to withdraw the FIR she had filed protesting against harassment and assault at the hands of her son Nipen Syiem following which the Dorbar of Seng Longkmie intervened in the matter.
The tussle started on May 25 when Nimala Syiem, daughter of Usti Syiem, filed an FIR against her brother Nipen for allegedly assaulting his mother brutally as a result of which she had to be hospitalized for a couple of days.
Interestingly, soon after the incident, the complainant Nimala Syiem was summoned to the Dorbar of the Seng Longkmie which allegedly asked her to withdraw the FIR.
“She was suspended for refusing to oblige,” sources claimed. It was also alleged that president of the Seng Longkmie, Sabrina Lyngdoh, cut off the water supply to Usti Syiem’s house.
In this connection, the CSWO filed an FIR against the traditional body for cutting off the basic supplies of the victim’s family.
Following this, the Ri Bhoi Magistrate along with police personnel met the members of the Seng Longkmie and the victim’s family along with the assault case accused Nipen Syiem last week. The Magistrate had asked both sides to compromise on the matter.
However, not willing to give in, the accused Nipen Syiem along with his wife, Rita Boro, filed an FIR on June 28 against his sister’s husband alleging him of raping their minor daughter few years ago.
Later, Sabrina Lyngdoh filed an FIR against the victim, Usti Syiem, her daughters and son-in-law for committing theft and threatening her.
When contacted, the Ri Bhoi Superintendent of Police, CVS Reddy, said that police had not ignored the other FIRs. He also informed that an attempt to murder and defamation case was filed by Sabrina Lyngdoh against Usti Syiem and her family.
“Acting on this report, the police picked up Usti Syiem to interrogate her. Police are yet to arrest Syiem’s daughter and her son-in-law who is currently residing in Shillong,” Reddy said while adding that police are being neutral and acting on all the cases being registered with them and subsequently sent a report to the court.
When asked whether the police had reacted to the initial FIR filed against Nipen Syiem for assaulting his mother, Reddy said that attempts were made to arrest the accused, however, he managed to slip and later secured an anticipatory bail as a result of which police failed to arrest him.