Women activists in Meghalaya today submitted a memorandum to Speaker A T Mondal demanding immediate removal of rape accused MLA Julius Dorphang from the Privilege Committee.
They also demanded Dorphamg's removal from the Subordinate Legislation Committee of the Assembly.
"We demand the immediate removal of Julius from the house committees and urge you to stand with the citizens seeking justice in order to set the right precedence for the assembly," the activists, who include members of prominent women NGOs, said in thir memorandum submitted to Mondal.
They activists said the appointment of Julius in the assembly committees indicated "an arrogance of power" and amounted to "intimidation" of the victim, the witnesses and even the investigating officials.
"It could lead to a loss of faith in the system," they said adding such an appointment sent out the message that offenders and perpetrators will be accommodated and promote a "climate of impunity".
Dorphang was arrested from Guwahati in January this year and was booked under the IPC, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act (ITPA).
On Friday last the Speaker had extended the term of the two assembly committees.
He later told PTI he will examine the matter. "I am on tour. The matter will be examined once I get back to office," Mandal said.
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