The Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has officially cleared East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police (SP), Rituraj Ravi, of any wrongdoing in connection with the alleged forceful removal of social activist Bindas Syiem from her hunger strike protest near the State Secretariat last year.In a detailed order issued on July 25, the Commission stated that no clear evidence was found to prove that the police violated any human rights norms during the incident, which took place on the night of June 9, 2024. The order comes after nearly a year of investigation, during which the Commission examined multiple witness testimonies, complaint records, and available evidence. The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Enlang Sawian, who alleged that a group of heavily armed police officers led by SP Ravi arrived late at night to forcibly remove Syiem from her peaceful protest without the presence of a woman police officer or an executive magistrate.
Syiem was protesting delays in the repair of the Nongpoh–Umden road, a matter that had stirred public attention due to its long-standing neglect. Two more complaints were submitted days later on June 13, 2024—one from members of the Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO), and another by activists Purity Phawa and Marylis Mawrie. Both demanded disciplinary action against the SP, alleging that the attempted removal was a violation of democratic and constitutional rights.
However, after carefully reviewing the statements made by witnesses, the Commission found several inconsistencies. “On consideration of the evidence on record, it is seen that the testimonies of at least three witnesses are not in harmony on the core incident,” the order stated. Even Syiem, the main aggrieved person, stopped short of making a direct allegation of misconduct. In her deposition, she said that the police arrived in the night with an ambulance but without medical staff, which made her feel her rights were being infringed. Still, she did not point to any specific physical or verbal abuse.