TURA: At a time when police and government officials are having their hands full in enforcing the lockdown and dealing with curfew violators, former UDP legislator from North Garo Hills, Luderberg Ch Momin has written to authorities, including his party leader and home minister Lahkmen Rymbui, accusing police of high-handedness and assaulting his son at Baksalpara village of the district.
In his complaint to North Garo Hills deputy commissioner S C Sadhu, with a copy to the home minister as well as party president Metbah Lyngdoh, the ex-MLA and present Co-Chairman of Meghalaya Economic Development Council claimed that his son was beaten up by police as soon as he came out of his room for a “bout of fresh air” inside the compound.
“They trashed him without any rhyme and reason and scolded him because he had no facemask,” claimed Momin.
The district police has dismissed the politician’s charge and clarified that only those violating the curfew lockdown are being reprimanded with a scolding. “There are instances when some violators are refusing to obey the lockdown and even charging at us. In such instances what do we do other than to wield the baton?” complained a police official who has been patrolling in Kharkutta.
The former MLA has been at crossroads with the district administration ever since his alleged attempts to monopolise the labour workforce was struck down by the authorities.
Days before a special parcel express train was to arrive at Mendipathar railway station carrying essential services,
the former legislator had gone to the DC office with his supporters demanding that the lifting of the carriage must be done only by his men whom he had reportedly arranged from Adokgre and Kharkutta areas. The district administration rejected the proposal since a ready labour force was already stationed at the railway station under the supervision of the administration officials.