Hundreds attend candlelight vigil for Hudderfield Rymbui; demand action against those responsible
Shillong, Nov 22: Hundreds of citizens came together on Friday to demand justice for Hudderfield Rymbui who lost his life in a hit-and-run case involving a police escort vehicle that was part of a VIP cavalcade of Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh on November 15.
The candlelight vigil at Malki ground had a common point of discussion that the people responsible for the death of Hudderfield should be punished as per the law.
Addressing the gathering, social activist, Angela Rangad said this movement will not stop until Hudderfield gets justice.
“If we want to get justice we should not slow down. May be his (Hudderfield) untimely death will help change the VIP mindset of the high level. We cannot allow the high level to do whatever they want,” Rangad said.
She condemned the attempt to create confusion in the minds of the people by roping in some “unverified eyewitnesses” to give a clean chit to the convoy of the concerned minister. “There is an attempt to cover up the incident to protect the people in power,” she alleged.
Rangad said the minister whose police convoy was alleged involved in Hudderfield’s death does not have the right to have a police escort.
“It is a clear case of abuse of power since only the Chief Minister is allowed to have a police escort and convoy,” the activist said.
She mentioned that the Supreme Court in 2013 had issued clear-cut guidelines that only the head of the Legislature, head of the Executive and head of the Judiciary can use the red beacon.
According to her, even central government officials who visit the state need permission to use police escort, siren and red light.
“We need to stop giving the ministers and high levels importance. They are sitting on our heads since we have too much respect to them. It is important to understand that they are our servants,” she said.
VPP leader Rusievan Shangpliang said whatever happened to Hudderfield can happen to anyone.
“No one is safe driving on the road going by the manner these police convoy are zooming around,” Shangpliang said.
He expressed dismay that the police convoy following the minister’s convoy did not bother to stop when the police vehicle rammed the two-wheeler which ultimately to Hudderfield’s death.
Shangpliang observed that the VIP culture has created a fear among the common citizens.
“But now this VIP culture has taken the live of a precious soul. We need to put a stop to this VIP culture,” the VPP leader said.
JSU general secretary Trebor Suchen slammed the CM for coming up with the guidelines on the use of police convoy and police escort only after someone lost their life.