North Garo Hills SP’s family ties with sitting Tura MP Agatha Sangma
SHILLONG, April 7: The State Election Department has taken cognizance of a news report based on a complaint made to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) seeking the transfer of North Garo Hills Superintendent of Police, Bruno A Sangma over his close ties with incumbent Tura Lok Sabha member, Agatha Sangma.
When contacted, Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), BDR Tiwari on Sunday said that the complainant, Nilberth Ch Marak had addressed his complaint to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and only a copy of the complaint was marked to him.
Stating that they will need to verify the complaints against the North Garo Hills SP, he said that they cannot initiate action immediately since due procedure has to be followed.
“We will need to find out if the allegations against the SP are true or not. We will be seeking a report from the state government on this,” Tiwari added.
It may be mentioned that Bruno is the brother-in-law of Agatha’s husband, Patrick Rongma Marak, and is also a resident of the same district.
In his complaint, Nilberth accused the SP and the Customs officer of Gasuapara in South Garo Hills of “conniving” with smuggling gangs to facilitate the illegal import and export of goods (sugar, onion, and betel nut, among others) to be sent clandestinely into neighbouring Bangladesh.
In the letter to the CEC, Nilberth explained that Garo Hills was witnessing a spurt in the illegal export and import of goods from and to Bangladesh which has hit the local populace extremely hard.
“This is being done without availing the proper document and permission from competent authorities which is required as per law. Thousands of trucks have been illegally transporting sugar, onions to Bangladesh and have been going on since the month of January 2024 till date,” said the activist.
Nilberth added that residents of Garo Hills have been lodging verbal complaints to the district police chief requesting him to conduct an inquiry into the illegalities but the concerned police officer has ignored the matter and provided no response.
“The North Garo Hills district has been the gateway of the illegal trade with vehicles bound for the border to Bangladesh making their entry and exit through the district,” Nilberth said, adding that the illegal import/export could be checked in the various entry points in the district by the police or the Customs department but this is not being done intentionally.
Nilberth mentioned Section 11(1) of the Custom Act, 1962 which prohibits the smuggling activities between India and other countries. Further the export of sugar from India has been restricted by the central government.
“Surprisingly, both the Customs department and the SP have been allowing the illegal export of goods like sugar, onion and other items to Bangladesh,” alleged Nilberth.
The activist also claimed that the SP, despite the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, had invited the chief minister and others to his residence.
On the matter of close family ties of the NGH SP with the Tura MP, Nilberth stated that the SP and his wife are residents of Kharkutta in North Garo Hills. He is also married to Agatha’s sister-in-law.
“As a police officer he can influence voters and indirectly campaign in favour of the NPP candidate. As such he should be immediately transferred from Garo Hills,” added the complaint.
Nilberth lastly requested that the CEC, based on the stated facts, to take action against the erring officers as per provisions of the law.