TURA: The live-in partner of arrested social activist leader Jaynie Ningring N Sangma and her teenage son were among five persons taken into custody by Tura police in two separate incidents for their alleged complicity in the recent abduction and torture of twelve young girls whom they had branded as ‘sex workers’.
Kennedy Marak (47) and Sapon Marak (42) live-in partners of arrested activists Jaynie and Babiana M Sangma were picked up from Babupara locality of Tura on Tuesday afternoon. Sapon Marak is reported to be a former cadre of the A’chik National Volunteers’ Council (ANVC).
Their arrests took place following statements given by the victims.
“The arrested men have confessed to their involvement with the five arrested woman activists in the detention and torture of the girls. They even revealed that the girls were beaten with bamboo sticks,” informed West Garo Hills SP Mukesh Kr Singh. Both have been arrested for abetting and criminal conspiracy.
Earlier on Monday night, the fifteen-year-old son of Jaynie Ningring Sangma, identified as Chigin N Sangma, was picked up by police from Damalgre area, 15 km from Tura, along with two other adults – Balsang S Marak (20) and Pohit Marak (25) – based on a FIR filed by one of the female victims.
The victim, who happens to be six months pregnant, had revealed that the teenage boy and his two friends had asked her to accompany them for a ‘counselling’ session at Sampalgre locality. They have been arrested for influencing the victim and their case is being dealt separately, informed police.
“The case of the arrested teen is being taken up as per the Juvenile Act,” informed Singh.
The arrested teen and his two friends are learnt to have revealed important details connected to the abduction and torture of the girls at the hands of the self-styled activists including his mother.
“We are interrogating them to get to the bottom of the story and all legal procedures are being followed,” said the police chief.
All five arrested are due to be produced in the district sessions court in Tura on Wednesday.
Kennedy Marak and Sapon Marak have been charged under Section 365 (kidnapping, abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine a person), 387 (putting person in fear of death or of grievous hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 342 (punishment for wrongful confinement), 343 (wrongful confinement for three days, or more), 120-B (punishment for criminal conspiracy) and 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons).
The abduction and torture of the twelve young girls at the hands of the self-styled activists has become a major issue with three separate probes being ordered by the government.
The state government has constituted a high level inquiry committee to be headed by Commissioner and Secretary Mrs. MHK Marak, the district administration of West Garo Hills has ordered a judicial probe and the Meghalaya State Commission for Women has also constituted a separate investigation.
The five “activists” – Jaynie Ningring N. Sangma, Babiana M. Sangma, Merryln D. Shira, Konica S. Sangma, and Lonavi R. Sangma – who had been arrested on Friday last for the forced detention, abduction and torture of the girls have been sent to Tura district jail on 14-days’ judicial custody.