Shillong 6 August : The police’s custody of the BJP’s Meghalaya unit vice-president Bernard N.Marak, who was detained in Uttar Pradesh on July 25 for allegedly operating the brothel in the West Garo Hills district, was extended for six more days by the justice court in Tura on Friday.The police have said that further charges have been brought against Marak who is the elected member of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council after the police found more explosives and weapons from a room that was locked at the BJP leader’s residence”Rimpu Bagan,” the name of the farmhouse, was found.
On the other the other hand local BJP workers and leaders staged demonstrations in Tura on the Friday, demanding an honest investigation in Marak’s case.
Meanwhile, the party’s members in West Garo Hills launched an official campaign before requesting the deportation of the District Superintendent of Police and the Deputy Commissioner of the district.
In defense of Marak A party leader said that the farm is operational since the year 2019 however, the raid was conducted just six-seven months before the forthcoming Assembly elections in Meghalaya.
“The move is primarily to smear Marak and hurt his political standing,” the BJP leader said.
In the meantime the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma ruled out any independent investigation in Marak’s case.
“There is no doubt of an independent investigation.Investigation is ongoing and the facts are being revealed.Therefore, I don’t believe there’s any reason to conduct an independent investigation,” Sangma told the media in Shillong.
After holding a demonstration in the front of the party’s office in the city earlier this week, state BJP leaders meet Governor Satya Pal Malik and demanded the removal of the Deputy Chief and Superintendent of Police of the district to ensure a free and fair investigation.
State BJP president Ernest Mawrie had told the media that the Governor had assured the media that an independent investigation would be launched.
But, the Governor later clarified that he had not provided any assurance to BJP officials in this regards.
The BJP leader was detained under various provisions of POCSO Act and the Immoral Trafficking Act after five children were rescued and 73 persons were detained on the 23rd of July at his farm.
The District Magistrate of West Garo Hills district had earlier ordered a magisterial probe to find out details about the police raid on July 23 in the farmhouse reportedly owned by Marak, alias Rimpu, a militant-turned-politician.
West Garo Hills district police chief Vivekanand Singh had claimed that the police had rescued five minors -four boys and one girl who were locked in unhygienic and dirty rooms at Rimpu Bagan, comprising 30 rooms.
The police also confiscated 37 vehicles and 47 mobile phones.
They also seized alcohol, 500 condoms unused and other items.
The Meghalaya BJP in a series of statements defended its leader, claiming that he is unfairly accused of being framed and denigrated’.
With two MLAs The BJP is a member of the government of Meghalaya Democratic Alliance, led by Sangma’s National People’s Party.
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