Shillong, December 20 (IANS): A top Meghalaya police official Tuesday apologised before the chairman of the state assembly's privileges and ethics committee on behalf of the two traffic police officials who had earlier booked him for a traffic violation. "Additional Director General of Police Rajiv Mehta came to my house and apologised on apologised on behalf of the two police officials," panel chairman Ronnie V. Lyngdoh told IANS
The two traffic police officials -- traffic in-charge Inspector Cherry Shadap and constable Sandeep Thapa -- were supposed to appear before the committee after they booked Lyngdoh for breaking traffic laws. Thapa had booked Lyngdoh earlier this month for parking his vehicle at a 'No Parking Zone' here in Shillong.
Meanwhile, the members of the privilege and ethics committee Tuesday alleged that the chairman did not consult them before summoning the two police officials to appear before the committee. "We were never consulted to send summons to the two police officials," some members of the committee told journalists, on condition of anonymity.
According to the rules and procedures, they said that the complaints are first referred to the speaker and who in turn directs the committee to deliberate on the merit of the complaint. "It is only after a proper discussion is held in the committee amongst the members that summons are sent based on consensus. But in this case (Lyngdoh's case), the chairman didn't call us for a meeting to discuss on the issue," the members alleged.
Home Minister H.D.R. Lyngdoh said he was "unaware" of any senior police official going to Lyngdoh's residence and tendering an apology on behalf of the two police officials. "Nobody is above the law and everyone should be treated equally. Even if I break the law, the law should take its own course," Lyngdoh told IANS.
The two traffic police officials -- traffic in-charge Inspector Cherry Shadap and constable Sandeep Thapa -- were supposed to appear before the committee after they booked Lyngdoh for breaking traffic laws. Thapa had booked Lyngdoh earlier this month for parking his vehicle at a 'No Parking Zone' here in Shillong.
Meanwhile, the members of the privilege and ethics committee Tuesday alleged that the chairman did not consult them before summoning the two police officials to appear before the committee. "We were never consulted to send summons to the two police officials," some members of the committee told journalists, on condition of anonymity.
According to the rules and procedures, they said that the complaints are first referred to the speaker and who in turn directs the committee to deliberate on the merit of the complaint. "It is only after a proper discussion is held in the committee amongst the members that summons are sent based on consensus. But in this case (Lyngdoh's case), the chairman didn't call us for a meeting to discuss on the issue," the members alleged.
Home Minister H.D.R. Lyngdoh said he was "unaware" of any senior police official going to Lyngdoh's residence and tendering an apology on behalf of the two police officials. "Nobody is above the law and everyone should be treated equally. Even if I break the law, the law should take its own course," Lyngdoh told IANS.
