Shillong, Sept 01: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken action on a complaint filed by social activist Joannes JTL Lamare regarding alleged police excesses in Thangskai village, East Jaintia Hills, on August 24.
The incident in question saw the East Jaintia Hills police resort to tear gas and lathi charges after a mob attacked the premises of M/s Meghalaya Cement Limited (Topcem) as a form of protest against the proposed expansion project of the company.
On August 25, Lamare sent a letter to the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) with a copy to the NHRC, urging immediate and necessary action in accordance with human rights violation guidelines and regulations.
In his letter, Lamare described the events in Thangskai village as horrendous. He mentioned that several media outlets had reported instances of police personnel hitting and kicking people, causing injuries, and resorting to tear gas. Videos circulating depicted inhumane treatment of unarmed civilians by the police.
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Lamare noted that both women and men were injured during the police action. He also pointed out that certain individuals in the videos were involved in instigating the incident through the use of unparliamentary language.
He cited Sections 330, 331, and 348 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which protects an individual’s rights against acts of cruel treatment by police officials and acts of torture.
Lamare called upon the MHRC to take immediate action and steps to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. He emphasized that medical treatment should be provided to injured individuals free of cost and urged the commission to take stringent action against the police personnel involved. Furthermore, he advocated for an independent inquiry rather than relying solely on police reports and justifications.
