Paul Lyngdoh’s suggestion to Roshan
SHILLONG: The typical character of Meghalaya police shooting their mouth of f whenever it is not necessary has come under attack with the UDP legislator Paul Lyngdoh asking the Home Minister Roshan Warjri to give a direction in this regard to the police.
A case in point cited by the Shillong West legislator is the U-turn of the police on the death of officer in charge of Patharkhmah police outpost PJ Marbaniang.
Soon after the death of the police officer, the Ri Bhoi Superintendent of Police had claimed that it was a suicide case, without ascertaining the evidence of the case, but the police was compelled to file a murder case later.
Raising the issue in the Assembly during the Question Hour on Friday, Lyngdoh asked the Home Minister to ensure that the police officers of her department do not open their mouths when they are not sure about the facts and evidences of the cases.
The Ri-Bhoi SP should not have made such statement if he was not sure about the facts of the case. The pre-mature statement on the part of the SP has created a negative image of the police since Marbaniang’s wife had later contested the claim of the police,” Lyngdoh said.
He also pointed that the death of Marbaniang is also linked to the NGT ban on coal mining since the police officer died immediately after he detained a large number of coal laden trucks which did not possess the documents for transportation of coal.
In reply, Home Minister said that the department will look into the suggestion of the legislator.
She also said that the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which had been tasked with the responsibility to investigate into the death of Marbaniang, would look into all angles while carrying out its investigation.
The Minister further informed that the probe was handed over to SIT on February 6 last under the supervision of Inspector General of Police (CID) and the investigation of the case is to be completed within 90 days with effect from February 4.
“Since SIT is yet to complete the investigation, it would be premature to comment on whether any crucial evidence has been tampered with,” Home Minister added.