By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 3: State BJP vice president and Tura MDC Bernard N. Marak on Sunday hit out at the NPP-led MDA Government over the arrest of several NGO leaders for supporting the ST certificate movement in March.
Referring to the arrest of former Phulbari MLA, S.G. Esmatur Mominin and former GHADC MDC, Sofior Rehman, the BJP leader questioned the Meghalaya government on the circumstances of their detention and the status of the cases registered against them.
Marak said apprehension is growing among citizens in Garo Hills amid what he described as a crackdown on civil society group leaders and supporters associated with the movement for mandatory ST certificates in GHADC elections. He noted that church leaders under the Garo Hills Peace Forum had recently visited the detained individuals to express solidarity. He further claimed that the detention of several youths has come under scrutiny, with concerns being raised over the manner in which actions are being taken. Marak also referred to reports that two MDCs—Cherak W. Momin and Rinaldo K. Sangma, who are now with the NPP—were allegedly on a list due to their support for the ST certificate movement, and questioned whether similar action would be taken against them.
The BJP leader said the state government has yet to clarify whether elected representatives linked to the issue would face the same consequences or whether action would be limited to individuals not aligned with the ruling party.
Marak alleged that supporters of the ST certificate movement were being targeted, claiming that several individuals across districts have been arrested.
He further questioned the number of cases registered against Mominin and Rehman and expressed concern over whether those detained would face difficulties in securing bail.
