STAFF CORRESPONDENT
SHILLONG, Feb 15: Julius Dorphang, the present independent state MLA from Mawhati constituency, Ri-Bhoi district former self-styled chairman of the proscribed Hynniewtrep tiol Liberation Council (HNLC), is back into in his elusive ways after evading arrest for alleged involvement in sexual offences against a minor in two different guest houses.
Interestingly, the MLA was in Mawlai area on December 28 and 29 of 2016 to attend the death of his own kin, revealed a source before he filly disappeared after knowing his probable arrest.
Based on the F.I.R lodged by the alleged victim on the third week of December last year and the subsequent suo motto notice by the Chairperson of the State committee of Children for child rights, a case was registered. Juluis Dorphang was charged under section 3 (a) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and 366(A) of the Indian Pel Code (IPC) which deals in Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act (ITPA). After arresting five of the accused involved in the crime, the Police tried to get in touch with the MLA with no avail.
The East Khasi Hills Police have also petitioned before the court to get an arrest warrant order but nothing definite is known about the outcome, even as the Police declared him as the person missing in a case involving a serious crime. “The accused (MLA) is evading arrest and searches have been carried out in various places”, stated the S.P of East Khasi Hills District M.H Kharkrang during a telephonic talk with The Sentinel on Tuesday.
Sources further said that searches were carried out in Guest Houses spreading in Ri Bhoi District with no positive results even as his own close aides’ also feigning ignorance about his whereabouts. “We suspect that he has gone hiding in the neighboring state with a view of getting an anticipatory bail”, the source said even as he added, “A Bail under POSCO is extremely difficult unless he comes to surrender”.
Already five of the accused involved in the crime have been arrested including the magers of the guest house owned by the immediate kin of the State Minister of Home, H.D.R Lyngdoh.
