Langpih probe
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Judicial Inquiry Commission headed by (retired) Justice PC Phukan which is probing into the 2010 Langpih firing incident would visit Langpih on December 3.
During the visit, the Commission is expected to conduct a spot inspection at the sites where the firing had taken place.
Four Khasi villagers were killed and 12 injured on May 14 last year when Assam police personnel allegedly opened fire in the disputed area of Langpih in West Khasi Hills district bordering Assam.
Official sources on Thursday informed that the Commission members would be accompanied by lawyers representing the governments of Assam and Meghalaya and those representing the victims’ families.
After the spot inspection, the oral agreement would be held on the case from the first week of January next year.
So far, the commission has examined 122 people including officials from both Meghalaya and Assam on the incident, official sources added.
It may be mentioned that the Commission has sought extension till February 15 to submit its findings. The Assam government is still considering the appeal.
The inquiry commission, which was set up in September last year by the Assam government, has held 37 hearings including eight days in Shillong.
Assam attempts to ‘buy’ Meghalaya citizens
There are allegations that around 14 families from Mawlan A and B in Langpih area have decided to enroll themselves as Assam citizens after receiving a sum of Rupees one lakh each per family from the Assam government, Our Nongstoin Correspondent reports.
Tras Nonglang, president of the Village Administrators’ Organization, Langpih circle, told this scribe that he had received information that 14 Khasi families had decided to enroll themselves as Assam citizens, following which he rushed to Mawlan on Saturday last and held series of meetings with the families.
Nonglang also informed that after a lot of persuasion, 13 of the families decided to withdraw their decision. One family, however, was unwilling to reconsider their decision as they were already using the money given by the Assam Government.
Nonglang also informed that the village authority would try their best to convince the family to change their decision and if the family refuses to relent, then they would be punished.
Meanwhile, West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, S Kharlyngdoh, said that he had not received any information in this connection.
The Deputy Commissioner also made an appeal to everyone to refrain from spreading any kinds of rumours about Langpih as it tends to mislead people in other parts of the district and the State.