By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 25: The family members of late Rickelson Jyrwa have clarified that the report which claimed that he was tortured for months at a rehabilitation centre in Assam as claimed by the Meghalaya Users Forum (MUF) is false and made with malafide intentions.
Jyrwa’s grandmother in a clarification issued on Monday said that the report was falsely framed by the MUF and it has tarnished the name of her deceased grandson.
She further stated that the statement issued by MUF was done without her knowledge. “As a matter of fact, I had visited my late grandson along with my family members on October 24 which is less than a month before his death. We were so glad to see him in good health and with a happy face. Rickelson even told us that he wants to continue staying there as he was being taken good care of,” the grandmother said adding that the report about the death of her grandson under adverse circumstances were completely untrue.
She also demanded a public apology from the MUF for tarnishing the reputation of the deceased and the family.
HYC clarifies: The HYC on Monday clarified they have been holding counseling with the parents of any drug user before providing assistance in shifting them to the rehabilitation centres in Assam.
Claiming that they act only when parents and family members of drug users reach out for help, HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem said they ensure that the parents sign an agreement before the drug users are sent to the rehabilitation centre.
“We have not sent anyone without the consent of their family members,” Synrem clarified, saying that the allegation that the HYC acted on their own was misleading.
“Majority of the people who are getting treatment are Khasis. No one has ever come forward with a complaint that they are being ill-treated in the rehabilitation centres,” Synrem said.
The HYC president said they are firm in their commitment to continue the fight against drugs despite false accusations to demoralise them.
In the interim, the HYC leaders have brought back the youths undergoing treatment in the rehabilitation centres in Guwahati for clarity on the issue.