By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 10: A local court on Monday granted bail to four leaders of the Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners and Drivers Association (MCTODA), including its president Mosklandar Marngar, who were arrested in connection with multiple cases filed under the MMPO Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The other three leaders are Teibor Marngar, Thrangbor Lyngdoh, and Heibor Pariat.
Although bail has been approved, sources informed that the formal order will be issued on Tuesday and subsequently sent to the Shillong District Jail administration for their release.
According to sources, the four MCTODA leaders are likely to be released by Tuesday afternoon.
Police dismiss claims of use of excessive force
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police (SP) Vivek Syiem on Monday dismissed allegations of use of excessive force by police, clarifying that the police used only minimal force during the incident.
“The crowd was clearly informed by the magistrate on duty not to obstruct the movement of trucks. However, despite repeated warnings, there was violent stone-pelting, assaults, and even a case of abduction,” Syiem said. “In that situation, the police had to resort to a mild lathi charge to bring the situation under control,” he added.
He reiterated that no norms were flouted by the police and that they acted strictly as per the law.
Syiem further clarified that there was no pressure on the police to release the four detained leaders of MCTODA.
Syiem informed that the four individuals were arrested on November 5 in connection with the recent protest at Mawryngkneng junction, where three cases were initially registered against them.
“Later, when we escorted cement clinker trucks from East Jaintia Hills via West Jaintia Hills, there was heavy stone-pelting and damage to police vehicles, following which a fourth case was registered against them,” he said.
“There is no pressure to release the arrested leaders,” he asserted, making it clear that the detained MCTODA leaders were at the forefront of the agitation at Mawryngkneng junction on the intervening night of November 4 and 5.
