SHILLONG, Aug 3: After the State BJP clamour for removal of West Garo Hill deputy commissioner and superintendent of police, Home Minister has categorically stated that the question of removal of officers on the basis of somebody’s demand does not arise.
Rymbui, however, added that if caught on the wrong foot, there will remain no other option but to remove the officials.
“Removal of officers because of the demand of somebody does not arise but if they do anything which is found wanting in the eye of the law, we have no other option but to do that,” the Home minister said while reacting to the demand of the BJP to remove West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police alleging harassment of the party functionaries.
Reminding that there is an ongoing statewide crackdown on drugs, he said that if an attempt will be made to stop raids, it will be set aside.
“The duty of the police is to ensure that law and order prevail, and all criminal activities are contained or eradicated,” he added.
Nonetheless, Rymbui acknowledged the fact that no government officer has the right to harass innocent persons. “But if there is anything that links (the person) to the case, the police are within their rights to do the necessary and substantiate the case. So this is usual procedure of case and I do not see any harassment,” he said reacting to allegations of harassment of the State BJP workers in Garo Hills.
On allegations levelled by the State BJP that the police raid on BJP vice president Bernard N Marak’s farmhouse at Edenbari, on the outskirts of Tura in West Garo Hills, and the subsequent follow-up action, are politically motivated, the minister said, “Investigation is on and the SP of West Garo Hills has been giving press statement every now and then regarding the process of the case. Let us wait.”
He recalled that apart from the police investigation in the case, the district administration has also initiated a magisterial inquiry.
“I hope the truth will come out and we will see. My stand is clear — no matter who you are, you have no right to harass the innocent. But if there is a link to the case, that is a different issue altogether.”
