BJP to stage peaceful protest against political oppression

The decision was taken at the state executive meeting following the unlawful detention of the BJP Tura District general secretary Wilver M Danggo in the SP office after the arrest of state vice president and Tura MDC Bernard N Marak from Uttar Pradesh in connection with sex racket case busted at his private farm house that led to the arrest of 73 persons and rescue of 5 minors.

BJP state president Ernest Mawrie told reporters that the officer in-charge Tura police station had summoned Danggo without prior notice and questioned him for over six hours.

Speaking to media persons, Meghalaya BJP president Ernest Mawrie said that on 26 July, the officer in-charge of Tura police station had summoned Wilver M Dango who is the general secretary of Tura district without prior notice and had questioned him for over six hours.

“Subsequent to this, the police are also calling all the party workers to take their statements for reasons we don’t know,” he said.

“In view of this, the state executive meeting today has decided to organize a peaceful protest in Shillong and Tura against police harassment against Danggo and party workers in West Garo Hills,” he added.

Stating that the SP had also directed Danggo to report to the police station every day, Mawrie said this harassment by the police is an attempt to demoralize the party workers but “we will not be cowed down by such action”.

BJP state executive member Pawan Sharma said the meeting unanimously condemned the action of SP Vivekanand Rathore over the unlawful detention of Danggo in the SP office.

He said the party leaders appealed to the law enforcing body to ensure safety of party karyakartas in the Garo Hills who are being subjected to political vendetta in a bid to curb their growing popularity.

He alleged that reports of phone tapping of party leaders from across the state has been another area of concern.

Stating that the state BJP has resolved to stand united and face such political oppression head on while making sure that the safety of its party workers are not compromised, Sharma said a state wide peaceful protest will be held across all SP offices and permission for the same will be obtained from respective district administration.

Meanwhile, the BJP also reiterated its demand for CBI inquiry into the Saubhagya scam and illegal coal transportation.

During the meeting most of the party leaders were of the opinion that BJP and its workers are subjected to political suppression.

The party leaders also demanded the safety of its state vice president Bernard Rimpu Marak.

This was in view of his recent press statement where he expressed fear for his life.

Sharma however said as for the allegations levied against him, let it proceed as per the course of law. The party has full faith in our judicial system.

“But at this hour, his safety is of the greatest concern while the law takes its course,” he said.

The BJP leader further informed that a team from here will meet central leaders and apprise them of the ground situation in the state.

Meanwhile, the BJP also demands the removal of Tura SP in view of his highhandedness.

“It is the duty of Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui to ensure safety of party karyakartas and citizens alike all across the state,” Sharma said.

By Our Reporter