High -level probe into Assault of 12 Tura girls
SHILLONG: With the two probe reports related to the assault on 12 girls in Tura leaving further room for a high level probe, Social Welfare Minister Deborah Marak has said that she has to go through the reports.
The magisterial inquiry report of SC Sadhu into the assault of 12 girls and another report of State Women’s Commission on the same matter are yet to be submitted to Marak.
Both the probe reports did not go through the angles of alleged involvement of a few ANVC cadres in the case and also on the circulation of indecent photographs of the girls in social media after they were stripped in the presence of a news photographer and a few others in Tura police station.
Moreover, though there were 13 girls who were assaulted, only 12 names are figuring in the inquiry reports.
Another flaw was that the magistrate SC Sadhu did not meet the girls to record their statements and he had only reproduced their statements made before the first class judicial magistrate in his inquiry report as annexure.
“I have not received both the reports and a decision on whether to go for a high level probe will be decided only after going through these reports. I shall also examine the points which were not taken up by the probe panels”, Marak said.
Earlier, during the recent Assembly session, Marak had said that she would look into the need for further inquiry into the matter only after going through the magisterial inquiry report.
Deborah said that she came to know that the magisterial inquiry report is still with the political department which will go to the Chief Minister for necessary action.
“If there is any need for a relook, and if we are not satisfied with the report, then we will order a high level probe”, Deborah said.