Shillong, January 06: TUR takes exception to the statement made by Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh that he does not need to resign. There is a saying that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. He has to be reminded of this and made to answer the simple question as to why Marvelene Inn and its owners have not been booked till date. Sec 21 (1) (2) of the POCSO act clearly sates that omission to report a crime against a minor attracts punishment. The girl was taken to this inn on two occasions. Responsibility is not only of the waiter but the management and owners of this undertaking and we reiterate that HDR Lyngdoh has to step down to facilitate an independent and timely investigation.
TUR also condemns the recent gang rape of a minor girl at Mawryngkneng and the rape of two other minor girls in South West Khasi Hills and South Garo Hills . It appears that the state mechanisms have no will to ensure speedy investigations and bringing of the culprits to book.
TUR will be filing FIRS against Woodland Hospital and Bethany Hospital for refusing medical aid and examination to the victim from Mawryngkneng and will follow up on reports that a similar breach of the law took place in Garo Hills. As per 166 B of the IPC ”Whoever being In charge of a hospital public or private whether run by Central Government, State Government, local bodies or any other contravenes provisions of sections 357C of the CrPC shall be punished with imprisonment up to one year or fine or both.”
TUR will also hold accountable other public servants including police who failed to register an FIR in the first instance in Mawryngkneng. Sec 166(A) states: whoever being a public servant fails to record any information given to him under sub-section (1) of section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), in relation to cognizable offence punishable under section 326A, section 326B, section 354, section 354B, section 370, section 370A, section 376, section 376A, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D, section 376E or section 509.”
TUR also condemns the role of the Sordar Shnong and Rangbah Dong of Mawryngkneng who misled the victim and her family through veiled threats and inducements to compromise with the perpetrators and for forcing the victim to face the perpetrators on two occasions post the incident which is against the law.
