Shillong, March 26: Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) president Roykupar Synrem has denied any wrongdoing in making an allegedly provocative statement, claiming that he was expressing solidarity with his Garo brethren.
Speaking to reporters after recording his statement before police on Thursday, the HYC leader said his statement was taken out of context and that he had only expressed solidarity with the Garo people.
He was summoned by the police in connection with a suo motu FIR registered at Lumdiengjri police station over his speech at a meeting at Motphran on March 11.
The meeting was convened by the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) to express solidarity with the Garo people during their protest against non-tribal participation in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections.
According to police, Synrem’s speech that allegedly went viral on social media contained remarks that could instigate communal disharmony and affect peace and tranquility in the state.
The FIR alleged that Synrem’s statement, “if Garo brothers need us, we are ready to fight alongside with them,” and his mention of carrying weapons, could be seen as provocative.
Denying having any intention to incite communal unrest, Synrem said, “I did mention that we will carry weapons, but it was in the context of fighting alongside our Garo brothers, not instigating violence.”
He also expressed concern over “selective” use of his speech on social media, saying, “Who has spread selected portions of my speech in social media, I don’t know. But I admitted that I made such a statement, and it was in the context of defending our indigenous rights.”
The police have registered a case under Section 196(1) of the IPC, which relates to instigating communal disharmony.
Synrem urged the police to implement Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law, and to take action against those who have made derogatory statements against indigenous communities.
“Law is equal for all, and not pick and choose when it comes to us,” he said. “If we file an FIR against others, the police department should also take action against them as per the law.”
