Cop murder case
SHILLONG: Poles Sohkhwai, former president of RBYF, Patharkhmah circle in his deposition before the CJM Court in connection with the sensational murder of sub inspector P.J. Marbaniang said that on the night of January 17, he along with six members of the group was waiting at the bridge at Sohkyrbam from 10 pm to 3 am with an intention to inform the truck drivers not to ply through the village.
He said that their only intention was to warn the truck drivers not to ply through the village as it was illegal but some truckers tried to overrun them following which they threw stones on the truck in order to stop them.
He said that they politely asked the truck drivers not to ply through the village but two dalals (agents) who were escorting the trucks, one of whom was the RBYF president, insulted them.
The next day, he along with other members of RBYF Patharkhmah circle confronted Pul, the RBYF president at his residence for escorting the trucks.
They then went to police station but a policeman there asked both the parties to go to Centerwell Doloi, a well known FKJGP leader. No incident happened after that since the previous argument had happened due to some misunderstanding.
Meanwhile, vice president of Sohkyrbam Mait Shaprang Association, Mathias Sohkwai, said that on January 23, he and his group members were waiting at Patharkhmah-Azara road near the bridge at Sohkyrbam Rim, for the coal laden trucks to pass through their village.
He said that during that time one police gypsy from Patharkhmah outpost was found heading from the direction of Umrit towards Patharkhmah and on seeing them, the vehicle stopped and the policemen questioned as to why they were sitting there to which they replied that they were waiting to check drunk people who created nuisance.
After some time, the police gypsy returned and the cops questioned them again to which they replied that they were waiting to catch coal trucks passing through their village.
Sohkwai further stated that around 3 am, 25 trucks arrived escorted by Dulu, Raw, Wonderland Nongtri and other dalals (agents) in a Wagon R vehicle.
He further said that one red coloured Maruti car (WB 02 L3529) belonging to Mut, president of KSU Jirang unit, was also seen coming with the trucks.
After 20 minutes, a police gypsy came with two-three police personnel and said that they were taking over the coal trucks.
Again after some time few people came – among them was one Law who is reportedly the secretary of FKJGP – and they questioned him (Sohkwai) as to why he was jealous of others people’s business. They offered him a tie-up with the truck owners to make some quick money. However, he rejected the offer.
He said that a constable ordered the trucks to move towards Patharkhmah police outpost and the police personnel gave them assurance that the detained coal trucks would be seized. He felt that there was a nexus between NGOs, dalals and police in allowing the coal laden trucks to pass through the village and he further said that he and other members of his association never met the O/C of Patharkhmah police station nor contacted him.
Another witness Stellar Shan Diya, secretary of Sohkyrbam Mait Shaprang Association, said that on January 25 when Mathias Sohkwai went to the market, he saw that the trucks were detained at Patharkhmah Bazar and when they questioned the police, the police personnel threatened to call the BSF and take them to the police station.
“I observed that the attitude of the police personnel was very hostile towards us but very cordial towards Hep, Raw, Dulu, Law and other dalals,” Stellar claimed.