Meghalaya: MHRC Order Vindicates Youths in 2022 Rimpu Bagan Raid, says Bernard Marak

Shillong: State BJP vice-president and Tura MDC Bernard N Marak hailed the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission’s (MHRC) order in the controversial Rimpu Bagan case, asserting that it proves the youths arrested during the 2022 police operation were unlawfully implicated and falsely framed.

Marak, in a statement, said that the MHRC's recommendation to award Rs 50,000 compensation each to 15 victims clearly “demonstrates” that the arrests were a result of an unwarranted and illegal raid.

He further praised the courage of the affected individuals, saying that their pursuit of justice brought the truth to light.

Marak also went on to accuse the NPP-led coalition government of targeting “BJP leaders” even though they were all allies in both the state and the Centre. He alleged that the operation was initiated to “falsely” implicate several BJP members in fabricated cases.

He further claimed that while such cases against innocent youths have now been exposed, similar allegations against elected representatives are being quietly suppressed.

Marak criticised the recently organised Me’Gong Festival and called it essentially a Bru festival.

He claimed that during the fesitval affluent attendees were given free facilities while the poorer participants were forced to pay for even basic necessities. He claimed that this was actually an unequal treatment.

It may be mentioned that the MHRC issued its final order last week following a detailed inquiry into complaints related to the police raid at Rimpu Bagan, a 30-room farmhouse in Edenbari, Tura, owned by Marak.

The officials involved in the raid claimed that they had information that the property was actually being used as a brothel.

They raided the place in July 2022, which continued for several days in follow-up actions. 

Police officials said that they had rescued at least five minors who were found in locked and unhygienic rooms, allegedly.

They had also arrested 73 individuals. Some of them were found severely “drunk” while some were undressed.

Over 400 liquor bottles, around 500 condom packets, 36-37 vehicles and 47 mobile phones were also seized.

Police, in follow-up actions, seized 35 gelatin sticks, 100 detonators, 4 crossbows, and 15 arrows from a hidden chamber. The explosives were reportedly stored for mining purposes.

The Commission received 30 complaints concerning the raid and subsequent detentions. Fifteen were withdrawn by the complainants, and after examining evidence and hearing both sides in the remaining cases, the MHRC directed compensation for the established violations.

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