Shillong, Aug 5: Meghalaya Human Rights Commission( MHRC) found that there was no case of violation of human rights by police official Rituraj Ravi while dealing with the protest of Bindas Syiem.
However, during the course of hearing of the case, the commission got the impression that the incident/ commotion could have been avoided had the superintendent of police ( Rituraj Ravi) been accompanied by the magistrate/medical officer.
“Therefore, the DGP may like to examine the entire incident and issue necessary directions/ instructions as deemed fit for future guidance of officers in dealing with such situations”, the commission said.
After the conclusion of the hearing, the case was closed.
Bindas was on hunger strike against the delay in repair of Nongpoh-Umden road.
Advocate Nitin Khera represented Ravi while advocate for the aggrieved person was represented by BN Khongwar.
The case was heard by the full commission headed by retired justice T Vaiphei, with B Giri and H Nongpluh as members.
Later, Vaiphei said the order was based on evidence and not on sympathy or emotions.
On June 11 last year, a complaint was filed by Enlang Sawian alleging that on the June, 2024 around 12.30 am, a group of heavily armed police personnel of the Special Operation Team led by Rituraj Ravi who appeared to be inebriated state came to the place where Bindas Syiem was holding hunger strike. That they came without female police officer or executive magistrate to forcefully remove Bindas Syiem citing the reason that they are taking her for medical checkup without getting her consent. The people present on the spot protested and prevented the police team from taking away Bindas Syiem. The complainant alleged violation of established protocol by the male police officers at night hours against Bindas Syiem.
The commission took cognisance of the complaint and the case was registered and notice issued to the Director General of Police, to have the matter enquired into and submit detailed report and further Rituraj Ravi, Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills District was directed to appear in person before the Commission on June 20 2024.
. On 13.6.2024, two complaints were filed one by the President and Vice President of Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization requesting action against the Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills District for allegedly trying to forcefully remove Bindas Syiem from the Secretariat Building who was undergoing hunger strike against the delay in repair of Nongpoh-Umden road. Another complaint was jointly filed by Purity Phawa and Marylis Mawrie.
These two complaints were taken up by the commission and registered as MHRC Case No 29/2024 and MHRC No 30/2024 respectively. As these two complaints relate to the same subject matter as to MHRC Case No 28/2024, an order was rendered that these two instant cases will be taken analogously with MHRC Case No. 28/2024.
