By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Hands are full for the magistrates in Meghalaya who are entrusted with various magisterial probes.
While there are as many as eight magisterial probes underway in West Garo Hills, East Khasi Hills has two and there is one each in West Jaintia Hills and East Garo Hills districts and some additional district magistrates are entrusted with the task of conducting two inquiries at a time.
After the magisterial probe into the incident of superstition at Sohryngkham by the East Khasi Hills Additional District Magistrate (ADM) DM Wahlang, he was entrusted with another probe, the killing of three villagers at Smit in the name of superstition.
The magisterial probes underway in West Garo Hills include that of the custodial death of one Topo Marak who was arrested for possessing drugs, by ADM TG Momin who is also entrusted with the custodial death of one Noresh Koch, Tura violence in June by ADM HDB Sangma, investigation into the misuse of social media during Tura violence by ADM MSN Marak, probe into the killing of schoolteacher Regina T Sangma and her grandson Jaswan T. Sangma at Boldamgre village under Garobadha, the escape of GNLA cadre Kennedy Sangma from Tura jail by ADM WP Marak and probe into the custodial death of under trial prisoner Asim D Sangma in MIMHANS by ADM AVD Shira .
Besides, ADM Ambrose Marak has already completed the magisterial probe into the rumours of communal nature in the plain belt areas following the bandh called by GNLA.
The magistrates have to do a lot of file works and with the formation of four new districts, their jobs have piled up.
Concerned over the increased workload the magistrates have to deal with in volatile districts of the State, a senior Government official suggested that like in Assam, a senior official from the Secretariat with magisterial powers can be entrusted with the task of special probes.
According to another official, the Law department can invest magisterial powers to any senior official so as to enable them to carry out magisterial probes.
Another suggestion is that police officials from the Directorate of Prosecution can also take up the cases.