‘I am not a watchdog, crime can take place anywhere’
SHILLONG: Opposition member Ardent Basaiawmoit of HSPDP on Tuesday demanded the resignation of Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh for the misuse of the guest house owned by his family for flesh trade.
Lyngdoh in his reply said he was not a watchdog of various crimes taking place in the state and hence ruled out his resignation. He also said he should not be blamed for crime committed by others in the guest house.
Taking part in the special motion in the Assembly on crime against women and children, Basaiawmoit wanted to know why the Home minister is still holding on to the post.
“He should not think twice to relinquish the Home portfolio to have an impartial probe (into the rape of a 14-year-old girl),” Basaiawmoit said, adding that the Home minister should take a cue from former Meghalaya Governor V. Shanmuganathan who resigned after the allegation of misconduct.
To buttress his demand, Basaiawmoit said as per Section 411 of the IPC, dishonestly receiving stolen goods is a crime and even if people in good faith receive stolen articles, he or she will be punished and often after their arrest, police had not set them free.
The HSPDP legislator indicated that the same yardstick is applied to the owner of Marvelene’s Inn at Rilbong. He wanted the Home minister to resign as his family runs the guest house.
Stating that Meghalaya will be known as the ‘rape state’ of the country due to the increase in crime against women and minors, the legislator asked the Home minister to resign from his post and set an example going by the same IPC Section 411.
In his reply, the Home minister said he had not interfered with the investigation into the sex racket case involving the 14-year-old girl.
“I have not interfered in the investigation. I have given free hand to the police. Law will take its own course. Even if my kids are involved, stern action will be taken if they are found guilty”, he said.
According to Lyngdoh, though he is the Home minister, he is not a watchdog and crime can take place anywhere. He also added he had no knowledge of what has been happening in the guest house.
