Julius Dorphang, who started his journey as a rebel leader, went on to become a politician, is now battling charges of being an alleged molester. The Meghalaya Police are trying to get hold of the Mawhati MLA who has been charged under the POCSO Act after an FIR was lodged against him on charges of sexually exploiting a minor girl.
The case came into limelight when one Usha Deb Barman, a waiter at Marvelene’s Inn in Rilbong owned by Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh’s family, was arrested for trafficking a 14-year-old minor girl.
The minor was taken to numerous guest houses and inns and the police are inspecting distinctive edges as the part of the investigation in the sex racket case including government officials and others.
The inclusion of former HNLC Chairman-turned-politician Julius Dorphang alongside Home Minister Lyngdoh’s name has revealed the involvement of elite names in this organised crime.
Other than Marvelene’s Inn, the minor was allegedly sexually assaulted at a guest house in Madanrting and different parts at Demthring and Umiam. All the accused who were arrested under different acts of the IPC and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act are currently in legal care.
Police are yet to capture two more people against whom a FIR was lodged under the POCSO Act.
As per the various NGO’s, the administration with the assistance of police are yet to shut down Marvelene’s Inn where the trafficking case was initially distinguished since the guest house is owned by the Home Minister’s family.
On January 11, there will be a public rally organised by the civil societies of Meghalaya demanding Home Minister’s resignation.
Dorphang was the Chairman of The Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) a militant group active in Meghalaya in 2007. He surrendered to the Government of India on 24 July 2007, as a consequence of the conflicts inside HNLC. In 2013 he became MLA of Mawhati constituency of Meghalaya.
