Victim’s mother files complaint with SP, MHRC; EKH SP orders
probe into incident at Sohra
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 7: In a shocking case, a 19-year-old youth was allegedly tortured in custody and made to drink water from a toilet at Sohra police station in East Khasi Hills District, resulting in serious injuries. A probe has been ordered into the incident.
The mother of the victim, Mildred Jyrwa, has filed a formal complaint with Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem and Meghalaya Human Rights Commission Chairperson Justice (retd) T Vaiphei demanding justice and accountability.
In her complaints, Jyrwa stated that on July 3, police came looking for her son Getwin, in connection with a brawl involving another youth a few days earlier.
She said she personally dropped her son at Sohra police station around 9 am.
Jyrwa claimed that when she picked him up around 2 pm, he was in a severely injured condition.
Due to the extent of his injuries, she had to take him to the Sohra community health centre, from where he was referred to Shillong Civil Hospital for further treatment.
She questioned police conduct, claiming, “If my son had committed a crime, due process should have been followed. He was subjected to third-degree torture within the police station before being released. It shows his human rights were violated, causing serious mental and physical harm.”
The mother urged the SP and the MHRC to take necessary action against the police personnel responsible for torturing her son.
Recalling his ordeal, Getwin alleged that after being taken into custody, he was assaulted by the police and then thrown into the lockup.
“When I asked for water, they refused. I was forced to drink water from the toilet,” he claimed.
In response to the complaint, the East Khasi Hills Police on Monday institute an inquiry into the allegations made by Mildred Jyrwa.
Talking to reporters, SP (City) Herbert Kharkongor informed that East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Vivek Syiem has directed the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Pynursla, Baialamphang Wanswett to conduct the inquiry and submit a report by the end of the week.
“Appropriate action will be taken based on the findings of the report,” Kharkongor stated.
He emphasised that the police are committed to upholding human rights and are duty-bound to investigate such allegations thoroughly and act accordingly based on the facts that emerge.
Providing details of the case, Kharkongor said Sohra police station received a complaint on July 1 from the Rangbah Shnong of Mawkisyiar, Sohra, alleging that Getwin Jyrwa had assaulted a fellow villager, Jop Majaw.
The complaint also stated that Getwin used abusive language and threatened Jop and also the clan.
Kharkongor further noted that the village dorbar summoned Getwin on June 28 and again on July 1, but he failed to appear on both occasions. Following this, the dorbar filed an FIR on July 1.
He added that police attempted to apprehend Getwin based on inputs from villagers, but he fled before police reached his residence.
“On July 3, his mother brought him to the police station, where he was taken into custody. Later, she returned and took him back home,” Kharkongor added.
