SHILLONG, JULY 26: BJP state vice president and Tura MDC Bernard N Marak on Tuesday was arrested from Hapur district in Uttar Pradesh, after he allegedly absconded following a sex racket being busted at his private farm house which led to the rescue of 5 minors and arrest of 73 persons.
This came hours after the West Garo Hills police had issued a lookout notice to all police stations of all states and Union Territories to trace out the said accused persons.
Informing this, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said, “The DGP had called me saying that the concerned individual has been picked up and now he will be brought to Tura.”
Bernard alias Rimpu was detected after UP police responded to the nationwide alert for his arrest by Meghalaya police who were conducting checking of vehicles along the national highway.
On Monday, a local court had issued a non-bailable warrant of arrest against Marak, who is also former chairman of the disbanded Achik National Volunteer Council – Breakaway (ANVC.B).
A case under sections of the Immoral Trafficking (Prevention) Act, 1956 was registered against him with the Tura women police station.
In a letter to the Special Superintendent of Police (CID), West Garo Hills SP, Vivekanand Singh Rathore said, “In this regard, it is hereby requested to kindly circulate the same to all the police stations of all states of India and Union Territories to trace out the said accused persons.”
“It is also to be informed that the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Tura has aready issued Non-Bailable warrant of arrest in connection with the case against Bernard N Marak,” he said.
Earlier, the BJP state vice president had categorically denied running a brothel at his private farm ‘Rimpu Bagan’ and alleged that the police raid was staged since BJP is growing from strength to strength in Garo Hills region.
Bernard further claimed that he is not evading arrest but is fearful for his life.
West Garo Hills police had claimed to have busted a prostitution racket in the private farm house run by the BJP MDC which led to the arrest of 73 persons and rescue of 5 children besides seizure of liquors and unused contraceptives.
Meanwhile, the Assembly’s Committee on Women Empowerment had also sought detailed report into the incident.
Chairperson of the committee Ampareen Lyngdoh had asserted the need to segregate between politics and crime. “Don’t confuse the politics and the crime that has occurred. Segregate these two things. You may have your political battles but you have no business engaging in anything with minor children and girl children,” she had said while assuring that she would find out the truth and take action accordingly.
