Shillong, July 14: The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly has removed jailed legislator, Julius Dorphang as member of the two Assembly committees following stiff opposition from several quarters especially women organizations.
“We have accordingly modified the earlier letter (for reconstituting of the different committees),” Assembly Speaker AT Mondal told media persons on Friday.
The decision came after criticisms over the appointment of Dorphang as member of the Committee on Privileges as well as member of the Committee on Subordinate Legislation.
According to the Speaker, the legislator, who has been in judicial custody ever since he was arrested for allegedly raping a minor girl, was also removed from the SC/ST Committee which he earlier heads as chairman.
The Speaker said that the Assembly has not constituted new committees as alleged in the media. “In fact the decision was to allow the committees continue with the same members (in which Julius was a member in the two committees). But we have rectified that.”
The notification to this effect was issued on Thursday in which the committees constituted by the Assembly will continue for the remaining term of the committee or till the dissolution of the present Assembly.
Earlier, the Meghalaya State Commission for Women and State Commission for Protection of Child’s Rights demanded from the Speaker to immediately drop the rape-accused legislator from the committees.
Dorphang, the former leader of the banned HNLC along with many others was arrested by police for his alleged involvement in raping a minor following FIRs filed by the SCPCR.
Two FIRs was registered against the Mawhati independent MLA.
Dorphang was booked under section 366 (A) of IPC and registered with section 3 (a)/4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) and under section 5 of the Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act (ITPA).