NONGPOH, April 13: The arrest of three locals from Sabuda, a border village in Block-II of Ri Bhoi, by police from neighbouring Assam has precipitated an imbroglio in the already tension-gripped border area with locals in Meghalaya alleging highhandedness by Assam Police.
After a series of events in regard to this case unfolded, the MDC of Mawhati, Charles Marngar, submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Ri-Bhoi, seeking the latter’s intervention into the matter, on Wednesday. The three persons — Barson Lawai, Stanling Khriam and Disparsing Mukhim — were arrested by Baithalangsho Police in Assam on charges of attempting to burn down the Umler bridge.
Shedding light on the incident in his memorandum, the MDC stated that the incident registered with Assam Police should be transferred to Meghalaya as the incident occurred in Block II and since the trio belongs to the Khasi community of Meghalaya.
He opined that the Meghalaya Police should have made the arrest, revealing that instant information was given to the in-charge of Mawlasnai Police Outpost.
Unfortunately, the Meghalaya Police was not allowed to interrogate the accused or bring them to the police outpost in the state, Marngar said in the memorandum, adding that the case has been falsely implicated against them.
In another memorandum, the Synjuk Rangbah Shnong Border Area informed the DC that the three arrested persons have been taken to Ulukunchi Police Outpost under Boilathansho in West Karbi Anglong, Assam.
The Synjuk also told the DC that the in-charge from Meghalaya was not allowed to interrogate the accused persons or bring them back to the state, as should have been the correct procedure.
The headmen have requested the speedy intervention of the district administration and higher authorities to ensure that the case is transferred to Meghalaya.
Even the headmen have expressed apprehension that the three have been falsely implicated in the case, while calling for a fair inquiry and security for the trio.
