SHILLONG, Jan 30: The Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has recommended payment of compensation of Rs 50,000 each to 15 victims of alleged human rights violations during a controversial police operation in Rimpu Bagan, Tura, conducted on July 22, 2022.
The Commission received a total of 30 complaints related to the operation and subsequent detention of individuals by the police. Of these, 15 cases were later withdrawn by the complainants.
After conducting a detailed inquiry into the remaining 15 cases — including examination of evidence and hearing submissions from both sides — the MHRC issued its final order on Thursday.
The police operation targeted Rimpu Bagan, a 30-room farmhouse in Edenbari locality of Tura, owned by Bernard N. Marak, the vice president of the BJP in Meghalaya. Authorities alleged the premises was being used as a brothel.
The initial raid began on the evening of July 22, 2022, and continued into the next morning. A follow-up search on July 28 uncovered additional items.
During the operation, 5 or 6 minors were rescued from “dingy, unhygienic rooms” allegedly kept under lock and key. 73 individuals (including young men and women) were arrested, some of whom were found drinking and, in certain cases, unclothed.
Police seized over 400 bottles of liquor, around 500 packets of condoms, 36-37 vehicles, and 47 mobile phones.
A follow-up search recovered 35 gelatin sticks, 100 detonators, 4 crossbows, and 15 arrows from a secret chamber.
Marak initially evaded arrest but was apprehended in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, on July 26, following a nationwide lookout notice. He faced charges under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (ITPA), the Explosive Substances Act, and was investigated under the POCSO Act in connection with an earlier sexual assault case.
In October 2022, the Meghalaya High Court granted Marak conditional bail, observing that there was insufficient evidence to establish that the farmhouse was functioning as a brothel.
Marak and the BJP described the raid and subsequent action as politically motivated vendetta allegedly orchestrated by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma. They maintained that the children rescued were underprivileged students whose education was being sponsored by Marak.
