Raphael Warjri

Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) president Roykupar Synrem on Thursday appeared before the Lumdiengjri police station for questioning in connection with a suo motu FIR registered against him over an alleged provocative speech delivered earlier this month.

Police sources stated that the case is linked to a meeting organised by the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) on March 11 at Motphran, where organisations had gathered to express solidarity with the Garo community amid protests against non-tribal participation in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council elections.

According to officials, portions of Synrem’s speech, which circulated widely on social media, allegedly contained remarks that could incite communal disharmony and disrupt public peace. The FIR, filed by a police official, referred to statements indicating readiness to “fight alongside” the Garo community and references to carrying weapons, which were considered potentially provocative.

A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code related to promoting enmity and communal disharmony, police added.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, Synrem clarified that his remarks had been taken out of context and misinterpreted. He maintained that his statements were intended to express solidarity with the Garo people and to defend indigenous rights, and not to incite violence.
He also expressed concern over what he described as the selective circulation of parts of his speech on social media.

Further, Synrem urged authorities to uphold the principle of equality before the law under Article 14 of the Constitution of India, stating that legal action should be applied uniformly. He also called on the police to act against individuals allegedly making derogatory remarks against indigenous communities..