Case 1: Dominic Sangma, a constable of the 2nd Meghalaya Police battalion, West Garo Hills, was arrested on June 7 for killing his girlfriend after she came to know that he was already married
Case 2: S.N. Roy, sub-inspector of Rynjah police station, Shillong, now under suspension, is absconding after his involvement was detected in raping a minor student in a hotel on March 17
Case 3: Anwar Ali, a constable of the 5th Meghalaya Police Battalion, East Garo Hills, is accused of various sexual offences including rape in Mahendraganj, Bagenjdoba and Shillong from November last year. Ali, who is under suspension, was arrested and then granted bail
Shillong, June 8: Various crimes, especially those against women and committed by the guardians of law, are on the rise in Meghalaya, leaving the victims’ families in perpetual agony.
The latest case is that of 28-year-old Saparina Marak, who was killed by Dominic Sangma, a constable of the 2nd Meghalaya Police (MLP) Battalion in West Garo Hills.
On June 1, the constable called Saparina and asked her to meet him at Goeragre. The next day, Saparina, who was having an affair with Dominic, went to meet him but never returned. On June 5, her body was found hanging from a tree in the jungle near the 2nd MLP Battalion gate at Goeragre.
The victim’s father, Sudhin Marak, lodged a complaint at Tura police station. Police arrested the constable yesterday for murdering Saparina and subsequently hanging her body.
A police official from Tura said the crime was committed after the girl came to know that the constable was married.
“Extra-marital affairs and having many wives are common among policemen,” said Gamchi Timre Marak, convener of the East Garo Hills district unit of the State Commission for Women.
According to her, polygamous policemen would face problems after retirement, as there would be many claimants to their income.
She wanted the authorities to speed up the investigation of cases involving policemen who committed crimes against women.
She cited the case of Anwar Ali, another constable of the 5th MLP battalion, who is still posted with the battalion despite being suspended for raping many women, including minors, from November 2010.
Ali used to disappear from the camp and trespass into the rooms of housemaids and rape them.
The pregnant victims sought the intervention of the State Commission for Women. After a case was filed by one of the victims, he was arrested, but released on bail after two weeks.
Chairperson of the commission Susanne Marak said soon after the incident of S.N. Roy — the Rynjah sub-inspector who was involved in abetting the rape of and raping a minor girl in March this year — she had written to the police authorities seeking his arrest and exemplary punishment.
Under pressure, a non-bailable arrest warrant had been issued against Roy, who was placed under suspension since April 19.
East Khasi Hills police have also issued summons, asking Roy to report to the police within 10 days before departmental action is taken against him.
Commenting on the police atrocities on women, Susanne said the authorities should ensure that the culprits were punished and corrective measures taken.
She said the commission was ready to assist the authorities in organising sensitisation programmes for the policemen.
Meghalaya police do not have any system of providing counselling to policemen in distress or those who exhibit criminal traits.
The additional DGP, (re-organisation and police reforms) B. Kezo, admitted that there were no psychiatrists or psychologists in the police force to provide proper counselling or guidance to the policemen.