SHILLONG, Nov 22: The Meghalaya Users Forum (MUF) has asked Assam’s Anti-Drugs and Prohibition Council, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, and the Association of Drug Rehabilitation Council to probe the death of two youths from the state under mysterious circumstances at a rehabilitation centre in Assam.
“The MUF writes to you to express our grave concern over the recent deaths of two residents from Meghalaya, namely Rickelson Jyrwa, a resident of Golf Link and Meban Syndor, from Mawlai Mawtawar,” the MUF said.
Sources said the two youths were tortured for months in the rehabilitation centre and photographic evidence of a group of naked youths being lined up with torture marks and heavy bruises on their back was provided as proof.
The MUF said: “Both individuals were undergoing rehabilitation at the Better Living Wellness Foundation, Mangaldai, Assam (Owner Arup Jerial Passah and Sabir Khan) and Alive Again Foundation, Chandrapur, Hatisila, Guwahati (Owner Shahid and Arup Jerial Passah).”
“It has also come to our attention that Arup Jerial Passah is the co-owner of both treatment centres,” the forum said.
According to the MUF, the circumstances surrounding their deaths are highly suspicious, and there are “alarming” reports that Syndor’s body was handed by the Rehabilitation Administration from Jorabat, Assam to his relatives without any police involvement, autopsy, or post-mortem examination.
“As a forum that promotes the meaningful involvement of people who use drugs in policy and programme development, we are deeply concerned about the safety and accountability standards of rehabilitation centres in Assam,” it stated.
“This incident has raised questions about the conditions and practices at these facilities, especially concerning the welfare of individuals under their care,” the MUF said.
“We humbly request your esteemed department to initiate an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Rickelson Jyrwa who was reported dead on November 20 and Meban Syndor who was reported dead on November 19,” the MUF said.
It further requested, “Ensure that the Alive Again Foundation complies with established protocols for safety and accountability. Strengthen the oversight mechanisms for rehabilitation centres in Assam to prevent such occurrences in the future and ban such rehabilitation and treatment centres to prevent future untoward incidents.”
“We seek your support and guidance in addressing this serious issue to ensure justice for the deceased and their families. Your intervention will also help to restore trust and ensure the safety of individuals undergoing treatment in similar facilities,” the forum added.
In July this year, the death of a youth from Garo Hills, Niksamseng Ch Marak at a rehabilitation centre in Assam’s Goalpara triggered widespread protest as family members alleged that he was “beaten, stabbed and tortured” to death and did not die by suicide as claimed by the authorities of the rehabilitation centre.
