Teachers threatened at gun point
SHILLONG: More cases of alleged assault and threat on youths in Garo Hills and West Khasi Hills by the police have surfaced.
According to reports, five teachers of ABDK Mission school, Challang Rongkugre, West Khasi Hills who had gone to watch the opening ceremony of World Cup football on TV at the residence of their friend Bidam M Sangma on June 12 night, were threatened at gun point by some police personnel asking them if there were GNLA cadres.
The eye witnesses informed that five police men after forcefully entering the house also assaulted a TV mechanic identified as Sanjib who came to repair the TV.
“The police had asked whether there were any GNLA cadre and pointed the clocked guns at the teachers after entering the house”, they said.
They also alleged that the police allegedly tortured the TV mechanic and stamped him with their feet after throwing him outside besides taking away his cell phone and money bag. The police men also pointed their guns and harassed the local pastor’s son-in-law. There are also reports that the police men allegedly assaulted the teachers and the house owner.
When contacted, a senior police official said that he had to verify the reports.
Another torture in Chokpot
In yet another case, the CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing said that she had received information that the Police of South Garo Hills have tortured another youth named Tochang Sangma who was arrested on the May 24 and was remanded for 10 days police custody. He hails from Chokpot.
“The next day after his arrest he was taken to Baghmara police station and was beaten up mercilessly and he had to be hospitalized as he suffered internal injuries”, Kharshiing alleged.
Police suspected him of having links with UALA.
His vehicle was seized by the police and they have not made a seizure list. Police are still using the vehicle which is illegal as they have to inform the court about the seizure, Kharshiing said.
The parents of the victim who is hospitalized and handcuffed to the bed in Tura Civil Hospital are worried lot as he is not able to breathe properly.
“This inhuman act of torture by police is continuing and the government is condoning torture which is a gross human rights violation and needs to be highly condemned. Action is demanded against the perpetrators as they are not above the law”, Kharshiing added.