Meghalaya Assembly Panel Summons Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: The Privilege Committee of the Meghalaya Assembly on Thursday summoned a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) over the issue of allegedly questioning Congress legislator Kim Fa Marbaniang for using tinted glasses in his vehicle. The alleged incident had taken place on August 7. Following the hearing, the Privilege Committee found out that the issue was not of tinted glass on the MLA's vehicle but the behaviour of the police officer while performing his duty towards an elected legislator.

“We got complaint regarding the behaviour of one of the Police officers. The argument between the MLA and the police officer went on for 10-15 minutes. The issue was taken to the media even before the Privilege Committee could take up the matter,” Privilege Committee Chairman Saleng A Sangma said.

“The media carried out reports that he was summoned by us because of the tinted glass issue but it is not true: on the other hand, the summons was served on the issue of the behaviour of the Police officer,” Sangma added.

It may be mentioned that the Rambrai-Jyrngam MLA, Kimfa Marbaniang had complained to the Privilege Committee of the Meghalaya Assembly seeking action on the behaviour of DSP W Momin.

The Privilege Committee Chairman also pointed out that legislators knew about the Supreme Court's ruling on tinted glass even as he added that the print and social media diverted the issue.

He also said that the police officer has apologized to the Committee, adding that he was also willing to apologise to the MLA concerned.

Meanwhile, the Committee has also taken note of the move of the Superintendent of Police (SP) (Traffic) BD Marak who went to the media and divulged before it that the MLA had gone to the Privilege Committee because the Police officer wanted the tinted glass to be removed from the MLA's vehicle thus tarnishing the image of just not that particular MLA but all the legislators in the State.

“This inappropriate action was uncalled for, without knowing the reason for summoning the DSP and he (Marak) assumed unto himself, that he (DSP) was summoned before the Committee because he wanted to perform his duty,” Shangpliang said.

He also added that the Director General of Police (DGP) will make an inquiry into the action of the SP (Traffic) for divulging information to the public on the proposed action to be taken by the Privilege Committee.

Shangpliang also said that the Privilege Committee will again sit to consider whether the apology will be considered. The DSP will again appear before the committee on Friday with a letter of apology.

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