Shillong: East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police (SP) Rituraj Ravi issued a stern warning on Friday against individuals or groups taking the law into their own hands.
This comes in response to a recent incident involving leaders of the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), who have been accused of illegally evicting and dismantling makeshift houses of alleged illegal settlers at Lum Survey in Shillong.
A case has been filed against the HYC leaders at Sardar Police Station under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order (MMPO) Act. The investigation is ongoing.
SP Ravi condemned the actions of the HYC, stating that the charges applied strictly pertain to the crimes committed during the incident. He assured the public that the investigation will proceed according to legal provisions, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law.
Earlier, Home Minister Prestone Tynsong held a closed-door meeting with Principal Secretary of the Home Department Dr. P. Shakil Ahmed, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner S.C. Sadhu, and SP Rituraj Ravi to discuss the matter. Minister Tynsong was unavailable for comment due to his tight schedule.
SP Ravi reiterated the police’s stance against vigilantism, describing such actions as a threat to peace and order, and as creating fear among peace-loving citizens. He assured that the police will act strictly according to the law and will take action against any reported incidents of this nature.
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The SP also mentioned that the police are maintaining high vigilance throughout the city and district to prevent a recurrence of such acts and to discourage individuals or groups from taking the law into their own hands. He acknowledged potential lapses in intelligence and committed to studying and rectifying any deficiencies to prevent future incidents.
Regarding the safety of the alleged illegal settlers, SP Ravi stated that police deployment is in place and, due to the matter being sub judice, he refrained from making further comments.
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