Cop’s death
SHILLONG: With mystery lingering on the unnatural death of Sub Inspector P J Marbaniang, the officer in charge of Patharkhmah police outpost, the State Government has decided to register a murder case and formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter.
It was on January 24 that the body of Marbaniang was found with bullet injury on his head, a day after he detained 32 trucks carrying coal to Assam violating NGT order.
The initial response of the police was that it was a suicide case, but with contradicting reports on the manner of death, the police version had come under criticism.
“After analyzing various reports and facts on Tuesday during a meeting, we have decided to register a murder case and also formed the SIT to investigate the matter”, said Additional DGP BL Buam, who is currently officiating as Acting DGP in the absence of senior police official SK Jain who is camping in Delhi.
While the SIT will be under the overall supervision of IGP (CID) H. Marbaniang, Shillong city SP Vivek Syiem and a group of inspectors will be part of the investigation team.
Earlier, the family of late Marbaniang had sought a high level probe into the matter suspecting foul play. The family had also suggested the need to entrust the probe to the CBI.