Shillong: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) in Meghalaya has reportedly lodged two First Information Reports (FIRs) alleging defamation and targeted attacks on their party and its president, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit.
According to VPP’s election agent, Danny Langstieh, the FIRs were filed in response to derogatory social media posts targeting the party and its leadership. One instance involved the creation of a Facebook account/page under a false identity, where defamatory statements were published against Basaiawmoit. ‘
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Additionally, the party claimed that unknown individuals were commenting with their symbol, “HA U PRAH,” in obituary sections across various local news channels’ social media platforms.
Langstieh emphasized that these actions were aimed at maligning the reputation of Basaiawmoit, who is also an elected Member of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, and tarnishing the image of the VPP as a whole.
He asserted that such behaviour constitutes criminal offences under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Information Technology Act, 2000.
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In a separate incident mentioned in the FIR, unsavory remarks were made in the comment section of a video interview featuring Father Richard Majaw, a Catholic priest, regarding communal feelings during elections, with reference to the VPP symbol, “Prah.”
Langstieh condemned these comments, stating that they further defamed the party and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.