From Eric Calvin Ranee
SIT, forensic experts inspect PJ Marbaniang’s quarter
PATHARKHMAH: The crime scene at the official quarter of police officer PJ Marbaniang has been disturbed, alleged the wife of Marbaniang after she along with the Special Investigation Team and forensic experts inspected the officer’s quarter here on Tuesday.
After the recent second post-mortem, the Special Investigation Team accompanied by officials from Forensic Science on Tuesday carried out spot inspection at the official quarter of late police officer.
The wife of the slain officer who also accompanied the police team expressed shock to find out that the official quarter of her husband was well cleaned, blood stain wiped, and all utensils and clothes were also washed while the investigation was underway, thereby raising suspicion at the people accessible to the quarter after the death of Marbaniang. She suspects that crucial evidences were destroyed
“However, I hope justice will be served and the killers will be punished as per the law of land’, Pyngrope said.
During the inspection, a bullet mark at the ceiling near the ceiling fan was detected and the SIT also marked the position of the corpse of Marbaniang at the floor of his official quarter. Besides, the late officer’s laptop was seized and sent for test .
The body of Marbaniang, the officer in charge of Patharkhmah Police Outpost was found with bullet wounds on his head on the night of January 24 sparking suspicion over the manner the office died since a day before he had detained 32 coal laden trucks which were illegally transporting coal.
After police in Ri Bhoi termed it as a suicide case, under pressure from various quarters, the police higher ups were compelled to register a murder case to probe the mysterious death and a Special Investigation Team was also formed.
The investigating team of SIT led by Supervisor and Superintendent of Police (Shillong City) Vivek Syiem, and Investigating Officer W.K Suting visited the place of occurrence.
A team from forensic science was led by Assistant Director N. Nongkynrih. The officer’s wife Challeth Pyngrope, other relatives and CSWO leader Agnes Kharshiing also accompanied SIT. However, only SIT officers, forensic experts and late officer Marbaniang’s wife entered the official quarter used by the officer for inspection.
According to Vivek Syiem, SIT will wait for preliminary investigation report and also on the reports related to entry and exit bullet wounds. All samples collected during their investigation at the place of occurrence by forensic experts will be sent for test. SIT will wait for forensic report to determine next phase of investigation, he said.
The investigating team will also visit GNRC hospital in Guwahati to ascertain the claim of one of the constables who escorted Marbaniang to the hospital that the uniform worn by Marbaniang was cut open by doctor and dumped it in the dustbin. SIT will inquire about the uniform from the hospital during the visit.