SHILLONG: A group of civil society organisations and the chairperson of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) have decided to petition the Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly against the inclusion of Mawhati MLA Julius Dorphang in two House panels.
The groups — the Civil Society Women’s Organisation (CSWO), the Thma U Rangli Juki (TUR) and Impulse NGO Network — met chairperson of the commission Meena Kharkongor on Monday.
Speaking to media persons here, Kharkongor said the Assembly authorities should look into the matter and appoint people with clean image in such committees.
This also came at a time when the trial for the case related to the rape and trafficking of a 14-year-old girl, in which several people have been arrested, has just begun.
Kharkongor questioned the timing of Dorphang’s inclusion in the Committee of Privileges and the Committee of Subordinate Legislation. She said this came two days before she had to depose before the POCSO court in connection with the same case where she is the complainant.
“There are other legislators whose names could have been taken instead of a person who has been accused of an offence under the POCSO,” said the SCPCR chairperson.
On being informed that Dorphang is yet to be proved guilty, Kharkongor said in the POCSO 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 is not guilty.
Stating that sentiments of the people cannot be override, Kharkongor said, “If such appointments are made then where do the people of the society go for justice.”
Dorphang, the militant-turned-MLA, is accused of raping the minor girl on two occasions in different guest houses in East Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi districts.
Women’s panel shocked
The Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) has expressed shock over the nomination of the jailed MLA in the House panels and questioned the State Government’s decision.
In a press statement, MSCW asserted that his nomination reflected the insensitivity of the State Government in dealing with the crime he has committed and that the decision has hurt the sentiments of women and girls in Meghalaya.
“The Meghalaya State Commission for Women is utterly dismayed at this decision when charges have been framed against the accused and the matter is sub judice,” the statement read.