TURA, July 25: TMC Youth leader Richard M. Marak’s wife has pointed to a conspiracy behind her husband’s arrest, claiming that there was no question of Richard’s involvement as he was with her the entire time on Monday.
“Richard had no role to play at all as he was at home with me the entire time. He did not leave the house and this can be vouched for by everyone including our neighbours. The reason I am guaranteeing his non-involvement is due to the fact that I had a gall bladder operation and was released from the Mission Hospital Tura at about 1 pm yesterday. He was caring for me ever since we got home so where is the question of his involvement,” asked Jigame Marak.
Incidentally, Richard had suffered a heart attack recently and had recovered only about a month ago.
Jigame guaranteed that if the arrest was made only related to the incident that took place on Monday, there was no question of his involvement.
“I was hospitalised on Friday, operated on Saturday, and only released on Monday. He has been with me the entire time and everyone around us can vouch for that,” she added.
Talking of the protest itself, she said the hunger strike was taken up for the entire community and not on the basis of any party. Anyone was free to join so the question did not arise over the fact that every party in the state was represented. They went on their own volition.
Jigame added that after Richard was picked up, she was not even told the reason for his arrest by the police.
“When I went to the police station, I saw him in the lock-up and asked them the reason for it. They said they were not aware as the case was with the SP only. He had not been arrested but was placed in the lock-up. I could only meet him after much pressure since we, as family members, have the right to know why,” she asserted.
Talking about how the arrest was made, Jigame said that they were at home sitting over a cup of tea, when at least 30 policemen arrived there and gheraoed the house.
“They came to him like he is a big criminal and asked him to come with them. When Richard questioned why and whether they had any warrants of documents, the person in charge just dragged him by the collar and took him,” she added.
