Drop Julius from House panels: NGOs to Speaker

SHILLONG: A conglomeration of NGOs on Wednesday asked Speaker AT Mondal to drop Mawhati MLA Julius Dorphang from the two House panels.
Members of several civil societies — including the CSWO, TUR, Impulse NGO network and North East Network — submitted a memorandum, addressed to the Speaker, to Commissioner and Secretary of the Assembly Andrew Simons
The activists expressed their displeasure over the inclusion of Dorphang in the two committees, Privileges and Subordinate, despite being in jail in connection with twice raping a 13-year-old girl.
They also pointed out that the renewed list of panel members at a time when charge sheet has been filed indicates arrogance of power, which is intimidating for the victim, witnesses and even investigating officials.
The NGOs maintained that Dorphang has been booked under the POCSO Act, which specifies that an accused is guilty till proven innocent and that the burden of proof lies on the accused. “Such insensitive and ill-conceived decisions by public representatives who are sworn to uphold constitutional guarantees of safety and security of all citizens, particularly women and children, leads to a loss of faith in the system,” the petition said.
Slamming the decision, the NGOs said nomination of a child rape accused to the House Committee sends out the message that offenders and perpetrators will be accommodated and further promote such heinous crime and create a climate of impunity for criminals.
“This is not only demoralising for women and children who have been victims of sexual crimes but it is also an insult to all women and children in the State,” the activists pointed out.
The Opposition MLAs are also set to raise the matter before the Speaker.