SHILLONG: Following allegations of custodial torture at Dawki police station in West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong has initiated an inquiry into the incident.
The police personnel from Dawki Police Station have been accused of tying a 65-year-old man, identified as Sonil Suting from Pyrdiwah, East Khasi Hills, to a pole and unleashing dogs on him.
Suting, reportedly said that the incident occurred when he was stranded at Lad Darrang village due to a vehicle breakdown.
Tynsong’s directive came after a delegation from the National People’s Youth Front (NPYF) met with the Deputy Chief Minister on Thursday to highlight the alleged “inhuman” treatment.
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NPYF president Kitboklang Nongrem told the press that after the meeting, Tynsong directed the Superintendent of Police (SP) to promptly launch an investigation into the matter.
“We have urged him to thoroughly investigate and ensure that those responsible for this crime are brought to justice,” Nongrem added.
Earlier, a formal complaint filed with the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) by advocate Enlang Sawian.
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While awaiting assistance, local police arrived, suspecting him of being an illegal intruder from Bangladesh, despite his identification documents being in order.
The MHRC has been called upon to investigate the matter thoroughly, with political parties and pressure groups demanding justice for Suting.
Notably, this marks the second instance of custodial abuse brought before the MHRC. Previously, in May, the commission launched a suo motu investigation into a custodial death at Khanapara police station in Ri-Bhoi district on April 26.
Last year, the Meghalaya High Court issued a directive stating that compensation for deaths in custody deemed unnatural should be “substantial”, hurting state coffers.
