Tura, Feb 2: Following the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC), through an order, asking the state government to compensate the victims of the illegal arrest case in the now infamous Rimpu Bagan case, the victims have now expressed grave concerns over their identity and addresses being uploaded for all to see online.
Earlier the MHRC had noted grave violations in the arrest of those that filed multiple complaints against the police.
Through a release this afternoon, the victims expressed concerns after the order with the names of at least 15 persons, who were illegally detained being circulated on social media.
“The circulation of this list, which also references the recommendation of payment of Rs. 50,000 to each complainant, has resulted in the unauthorized disclosure of our identities and personal information. This act constitutes a grave violation of privacy and places the complainants and their families at risk of harassment, intimidation and social targeting,” felt the victims.
“As victims in a sensitive case involving wrongful arrest, detention, and prolonged trauma, the public exposure of our personal details has caused renewed mental distress and fear. The continued sharing of this document, including screenshots and excerpts, amounts to a breach of our identities and confidentiality, which is unacceptable and unsafe,” they added.
They further urged all individuals, social media users, groups and platforms to immediately stop circulating or sharing this document in any form and to delete any copies already in their possession as the information is confidential and was never intended for public dissemination.
“The circulation of this confidential information continues, we will be left with no option but to take appropriate action to protect our privacy, dignity and legal rights. We appeal to everyone to act responsibly and with sensitivity, respecting the dignity and safety of the complainants in the Rimpu Bagan Case,” stated the victims.
Earlier in its order, the MHRC noted that the violation of human rights could have been avoided by proper supervision but it appeared that the follow up action was left to a Woman Sub Inspector of police.
“She could not handle the large number of detainees which resulted in the violation of human rights. The experiences undergone by the complainants cannot be undone and no amount of monetary relief can compensate for the humiliations,” the order stated.
The Commission recommended that the Government pay an amount of Rs 50000 each to the complainants but left it to the discretion of the authorities whether the compensation would be paid by the officers in question or by the state.
“It also needs to be ensured that such violations do not take place in future. Hence the authorities in the police department and department of Prison and Correctional Services need to formulate guidelines for cases where large numbers of persons are detained/arrested to prevent violation of human rights,” felt the commission.
It also recommended the need for training of all the officers involved to be examined and sent for such training to enhance their capacity to deal with detained/arrested persons without violating their human rights while they are under custody.
“Communicate this order to the Principal Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Home (Police) Department, in terms of Sec 18(e) of the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993 for necessary action and action taken should be communicated,” the MHRC asserted.
