NGO alleges police-mining mafia nexus
SHILLONG: Smelling foul play and mining lobby behind the death of the brother of a Nokma in West Garo Hills, the intervention of DGP Rajiv Mehta was sought to probe the matter since the police is accused of having nexus with those who carry out illegal stone quarry.
Association for Democracy and Empowerment (ADE), an NGO based in Tura said on Wednesday that it was on February 28 that Nitingson Ch. Marak hailing from Jongkipara village who was the younger brother of the Nokma of Jongkipara was brutally murdered in an illegal stone quarry.
The quarry was owned by one Tapos Shah, operating in Jongkipara area under Garobada police outpost, in west Garo Hills, ADE said.
The decomposed body of the person was recovered on March 7. However, there has been no breakthrough in the case let alone any arrests, ADE pointed out.
“The victim was vocal against the illegal mining and crushing of stone in the area and had filed complaints against the same in the Garobada police outpost and the District Administration, yet, the Police did not take any action regarding the matter”, ADE pointed out. According to NGO, the victim was brutally murdered when he went to inspect the illegal activities of the stone miners.
“This turn of events compels us to wonder if the death of the victim is related to the illegal mining and crushing of stone in the area and the police have some understanding with the illegal stone mining and quarry and stone crusher owners”, ADE alleged.
The ADE suspects that police are going soft on illegal stone quarry and mining and stone crusher owners as no visible action has been taken against any illegal stone quarry or stone crushing units despite repeated complaints by NGOs.
“We appeal to the DGP to take cognizance of the matter and act accordingly at the earliest, as we have lost our faith in the local police authorities’ commitment in solving the case”, ADE said.
According to ADE, it is an open secret that the illegal stone quarry and stone crusher owners have always resorted to money power to avoid any legal action against their illegal activities.“ The organization believes that this will test the seriousness of Meghalaya police in restoring law and order in Garo Hills, as it is not just the insurgents that the police should concentrate on but, also all the illegal stone mining mafias who carry out their nefarious activities”, the ADE said.