SHILLONG, Feb 14: Scam-tainted Meghalaya Police Service officer Gabriel K Iangrai, who walked out of jail on Tuesday after securing bail, was rearrested by the CID Meghalaya Police Service officer Gabriel K Iangrai in connection with a case pertaining to alleged misappropriation of funds in the construction of the National Emergency Response System building at Sadar police station here.
Prior to his re-arrest by the CID, Iangrai claimed that he was a victim of a “high-level political-khaki vendetta” and that he feared an imminent threat to his life and that of his family members.
After walking out of jail on Tuesday, Iangrai told reporters he had to hide after learning about the impending raid by the CID at his house on November 2. He said he feared an episode similar to what happened with former HNLC leader, Cheristerfield Thangkhiew since the same people were the “masterminds”.
“I am a victim of a high-level conspiracy which is beyond my mind. I don’t know which political parties, political agents or terrorist agents are responsible for this conspiracy,” Iangrai said.
He said there were many who doubted the medals awarded to him.
“I got the medals due to my sheer hard work and without a stain of blood. But there are many who are wearing the medals in their chest that are stained with the blood of innocent people,” he said.
Iangrai said many inquiries were instituted into cases such as the deaths of Thangkhiew and police officer PJ Marbaniang (who was killed after he had resisted the release of 32 seized trucks which violated NGT ban on the transportation of coal in 2015) “but no one knows about the outcome of the inquiries.”
He claimed that he was never informed of the inquiry instituted against him. He said the report of the inquiry was leaked to the media even before his statement was recorded. He asked if it was fair to record his statement since his case was already exposed to the world.
The MPS officer claimed that as an AIG (A) serving for three-and-a-half years, he did not leak any confidential information to the media.
“But how did my inquiry report leaked out even before it was completed?” he asked. “There are so many people who are scared since I am efficient. Above me, there are five more senior level officers but they feel they do not have work anymore,” he added.
He said he has many things to reveal and sufficient evidence to use.
He alleged that he was put under constant duress since August last year although he is not a very healthy person.
“I have been treated by the present DGP like a Harijan and my ST status was never respected,” Iangrai said.
“I have an ailing mother, aged 74 years, who is a cancer survivor with 20% vision. My mother’s house, my quarters and my brother’s house were raided. They have even used artificial intelligence and whatever conversation I made is being tapped. Even your phone is being tapped,” the senior police officer told the reporters.
He said he still has faith in the judiciary and no one else.
“I don’t belong to any group. Why are they crucifying me like this? What about the other people who have so many cases pending against them?” Iangrai asked.
He said there is a particular 20-year-old case involving the names of prominent people, including some who have retired and some who are on the verge of retirement.
“But no one has gone to arrest them. My question to the CID branch is what it has done in the cases of many scams. You may talk about anti-corruption. If I am corrupt, let the court decide. I don’t mind being hanged if it is as per the Constitution,” he said.
He also said that even after 20 years of his service, he does neither have a mansion nor a house or land anywhere.
“I am staying with my mother and in official quarters. Please check the affidavits filed by the people contesting the elections. I want to know whether the CID and the ACB have taken note of the affidavits and questioned them. Why am I being made a scapegoat?” Iangrai asked.
The police official had been arrested on November 2 last year in connection with the misappropriation off Rs 35 lakh in the NERS project and illegalities in supply of dry ration and had been granted bail last week by the District and Sessions Court in both cases.
