CSWO calls for cops’ arrests

SHILLONG: Suspecting foul play in the recent killing of the son of a Nokma in West Garo Hills, the CSWO has demanded the arrests of the circle inspector (WGH) Bitching N Marak and other police personnel involved in the encounter.
The son of the village Nokma of Oragitok, under Rongram block, of West Garo Hills was killed in a police shootout with suspected GNLA militants on Wednesday morning last. The Nokma’s son, Sengbath Marak, was reportedly killed when police stormed a house in the village of Romba Adinggre, adjacent to Oragitok, at 5 am to flush out suspected GNLA militants who had reportedly been taking shelter there.
Suspecting it to be a case of fake encounter, the CSWO also demanded that the weapons of all policemen who went for the operation be seized and sent to forensic science laboratory (FSL). It also demanded the removal of the district SP.
“It was seen in a photograph that police personnel who went to investigate did not even use gloves to hold the gun which was found near the stream, which  amounted to tampering of evidence by the investigating team when they should been thorough in their investigation,” Kharshiing said.
The CSWO alleged that the fake encounter was a ploy to suppress the witchcraft killing of David Maxeneir T Sangma recently as he too was a resident of Oragitok village and his wife is from the same Mahari as Sengbath.
The CSWO also urged the Government to protect the witnesses in the case from “police atrocities and intimidation”.