Cop’s death: No arrest in one month, litmus test for police

SHILLONG: With no arrest even a month after the death of Sub-Inspector P.J. Marbaniang, the investigation into the mysterious death of the police officer is proving to be a litmus test for the police as the outcome of the investigation will either boost or mar the credibility of the police.
A senior Government official, who is closely monitoring the developments related to the case, told reporters on Monday that all the unanswered angles on the manner in which the police officer was killed will have to be probed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the government.
It was on January 24 that the police officer was found with bullet injuries on his head at his official quarter at Patharkhmah police out post for allegedly resisting requests from some quarters to release 32 coal-laden trucks which he had detained a day earlier. A month after the mysterious death, police are yet to make any breakthrough in the case.
) The State Government has already made it clear that the Police department should take up case with all seriousness as it was a test of their credibility.
Speculations are rife on the alleged role of the police in the crime as evidences were allegedly destroyed and the crime scene tampered with.
The Ri Bhoi police had first concluded that it was a suicide case, but subsequently the SIT was formed by the police to probe the matter after a murder case was registered.
After the incident, the Ri Bhoi SP had deputed the officer in-charge of Nongpoh S. Umdor to carry out investigation and subsequently another investigation was also carried out by the Commandant of the Sixth Battalion J. Rymmai. There were no significant findings in both the investigations.
The SIT was shocked to learn during its recent spot inspection at the place of occurrence that crucial evidences had been destroyed.
On February 13 a team of doctors from NEIGRIHMS carried out the second post mortem after the body of the slain police officer was exhumed. The findings of the second autopsy are awaited.