Shillong: Meghalaya police are baffled by the movements of Social Welfare Minister Deborah Ch Marak who visited Dorenkigre village across the Simsang River which is known as the stronghold of GNLA commander Sohan D Shira, by dispensing with police escort.
Resdients of Dorenkigre expressed shock at seeing the minister roaming freely in these villages without police security when this is the stronghold of the GNLA.
This lends credence to the allegations made by Jonathone Sangma, political rival of Marak before the last assembly elections that he was being threatened by GNLA to withdraw from the electoral battle.
The GNLA had put up posters warning people of Williamnagar not to vote for Jonathone Sangma.
Accordingly Sangma had approached the Election Commission of India alleging that Deborak Ch Marak had used the GNLA to help her win the last Assembly elections.
He had also filed an FIR with the Williamnagar police station stating that his supporters were threatened by the GNLA not to vote for him or else they would suffer the consequences.
Police sources are curious as to why Marak is visiting Dorenkigre at a time when the police are engaged in an operation against the GNLA in this very village.
What makes the whole episode very intriguing is Marak’s refusal to take police security while venturing right into a area over which GNLA has control.
They believe she has a tacit understanding with the GNLA hence they will not harm her.
Meanwhile Williamnagar police declined to give answers to RTI queries filed by one Richie D Sangma on January 18 this year to find out the status of Case no 21(02)13u/s171F/506IPC which was registered against Deborah Ch Marak.
The reply given by the Williamnagar police is that the case is sensitive in nature as it involves a high profile cabinet minister.
The All Achik Youth Federation (Eastern Zone) Williamnagar had recently raised this issue which has been pending since 2013.
They reminded that Deborah Marak was even charge-sheeted in November 2014 for violating the election code of conduct.
They allege that the minister is being protected by the Congress high command and the chief minister for obvious reasons.
Marak was not available for comments.
