Shillong, July 24: The state BJP president Ernest Mawrie has asked the government to protect the life of Bernard Marak and also withdraw all charges against him which according to the party is politically motivated to malign the party’s image.
Police had on July 22 evening raided the farm house of Marak who is accused of running a brothel.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the state BJP chief condemned the raid.
“I have personally spoken with renowned and respected individuals from Tura and surrounding areas and I have come to the conclusion that Shri Bernard Marak has been unjustly framed and maligned. It appears that he is a victim of a political vendetta against him”, Mawrie said.
According to the BJP leader, who is also advisor to the Chief Minister, the building in which the raid took place is three-storey, with the ground floor being used as a banquet hall which is rented out for the purpose. The first floor comprises 30 rooms which is used for homestay. The second floor is used as a hostel for underprivileged children from different areas of Garo Hills, he said adding that these children have been staying since the pandemic and Marak has been supporting them financially.
“From among the children who were taken by the police, five are minors who are supported by Shri Bernard Marak and studying in Edenbari School & Auxilium Convent School in Tura. Also, the caretaker’s wife and child were taken away by the police. A married couple who run a fast food on the premises were also taken by the police”, he said.
Mawrie said people who were arrested from the resort by the police on July 22 evening were guests who had paid for their stay. Likewise, the vehicles confiscated by the police on the same evening belonged to these guests.
“The general public of Tura would often visit this resort during the weekends for picnics and also staying over. The guests staying at the resort come from respectable families and branding the resort a ‘brothel’ is highly objectionable and unacceptable. Young underprivileged children have also been shown in poor light. As mentioned the resort has been running for the last three years and there have never been any complaints whatsoever”, he said.
It is obvious that these allegations have been made to tarnish the image of BJP and State Vice President & Convener of Garo Hills, Bernard Marak due to his growing popularity in Garo Hills specifically Tura South, Mawrie said.
The state BJP leader also reminded that on July 21, one day before the raid was carried out, NPP youth had pasted posters all over Tura maligning Marak.
“It is also very clear that it is a political vendetta as Shri Bernard Marak’s mother’s house was also raided without any warrant. This is seen as pure harassment. While speaking with Shri Bernard Marak he stated that he is fearful for his life.I request the government to protect the life of Shri Bernard Marak and also withdraw all charges against him which are politically motivated and malign the party image”, Mawrie asserted.
