Shillong: The Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has closed proceedings in a case concerning an alleged human rights violation during a midnight police intervention at a hunger strike site in Shillong, observing that no conclusive evidence established wrongdoing by the police.
The case stemmed from complaints filed after an incident on June 9, 2024, when police personnel, led by then East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Rituraj Ravi, attempted to shift social activist Bindas Syiem from her protest tent at the Additional Secretariat parking lot in Shillong.
Syiem was on a hunger strike protesting the dilapidated Nongpoh-Umden-Sonapur road.
According to the complaints, Ravi arrived late at night, allegedly in an inebriated state, without the presence of a female police officer or an executive magistrate, and attempted to forcibly take Syiem for medical examination.
Eyewitnesses, including journalist Kyrmenlang Uriah and complainant Purity Phawa, testified that Ravi lifted the mosquito net over Syiem’s bed and acted under the influence of alcohol.
However, none could confirm that physical contact occurred, and the allegations of misconduct remained largely uncorroborated.
In her own deposition, Syiem stated that while no one physically touched her, the SP entered the tent against protest and tried to take her away without her consent.
She alleged the officer smelled of alcohol and failed to produce any official order.
The SP, in his defense, said he acted to maintain law and order after receiving reports of an escalating crowd at an unauthorised protest site.
He denied being intoxicated and claimed no force or inappropriate conduct was used.
Four witnesses, including a woman police sub-inspector and a journalist, also testified in support of the respondent’s version of events, stating there was no visible misconduct.
The MHRC, after examining all evidence and cross-examinations, concluded that the testimonies of the complainant and witnesses lacked consistency and were not supported by video footage, which was notably absent despite claims of its existence.
ALSO READ: Assam LoP seeks High Court’s intervention over state’s ‘alarming’ fiscal mismanagement
The Commission also noted that several complainants failed to appear during the proceedings or offer supporting evidence.
The Commission found no violation of human rights under the provisions of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, and dismissed the case.
However, it observed that the incident might have been avoided had the Superintendent of Police been accompanied by a medical officer or magistrate and recommended that the Director General of Police examine the matter to issue future operational guidelines.
The case was formally closed by an order dated July 25, 2025.
