SHILLONG: The State Commission for Protection of Women and Child Rights has decided to move the Speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly to oppose the inclusion of Mawhati MLA, Julias Dorphang who is an accused in a rape case and is in jail now, in the privilege committee of the Assembly.
A group of concerned residents of Shillong on Monday met the chairperson of the Commission, Meena Kharkongor, expressing their displeasure and opposition at Dorphang’s inclusion in the Assembly committee.
The Chairperson of the Commission, speaking to the media, said the state Assembly authorities should look into the matter and appoint people with clean background in such committees.
She also questioned the timing of Dorphang’s inclusion in the privilege committee. She said the MLA had been included in the committee just two days before she was scheduled to depose before the POSCO court in connection with the rape case slapped against him where she is also a complainant.
Maintaining that the Chief Minister of the state, Dr Mukul Sangma, often talked about security of women and girls, she questioned on what ground the MLA with such tainted background can be appointed as the member of the Assembly Privilege Committee.
On being reminded that Dorphang is yet to be proved guilty before the court, the Chairperson said in POSCO case, the prosecution does not need to prove if the accused is guilty or not, but it is the accused who has to prove that he/she is not guilty.
Militant-turned-MLA, Julias Dorphang is accused in the rape care of a minor girl on two different occasions in two different guest houses in East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts of the state.