Shillong, Sept 5: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) has condemned the style of functioning of the Home (Police) Department under Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong.
“It is clearly visible to any sensible human being that the department follows a vendetta politics against those who choose to be critical of the state government. The invocation of section 171 and 34 of the IPC and section 105 of the Meghalaya Police Act, 2010 against the Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) reveals the abuse of power by the Police”, said Batskhem Myrboh, the spokesperson of VPP, on Tuesday.
According to the VPP, the police have grossly misinterpreted the provisions of law to make a false case against the organisation.
“It may be noted that the HITO directly and openly campaigned against the NPP and especially the Home Minister in the last Assembly election”, the VPP pointed out.
The party also condemned the police personnel involved in the disproportionate use of force against the unarmed public during the march of the HITO causing distress to the common citizens who had to face the brunt of the police brutality.
“The action of the police at Thangskai and at Shillong and the incidents in the recent past suggest that the Meghalaya police personnel are mentally and psychologically weak to handle even slightest provocation”, the VPP said.
Stringent action must be taken against the concerned police officers on duty for the decision leading to brutal action by the police personnel and other violations of professional ethics including using slang words publicly without any restraint, the VPP added
“All the injured persons and those who have suffered other forms of losses by this unwarranted action by the police personnel must be satisfactorily compensated by the government”, the party said.
According to the party, the deputy chief minister should own responsibility and ensure that his department conducts itself professionally and in a restrained manner befitting a democratic system.