Cop’s death probe
SHILLONG: The credibility of the Meghalaya police is allegedly under scanner due to the U-turn on the reason related to the death of sub- inspector late PJ Marbaniang, the officer in charge of Patharkhmah police outpost.
The statement of SP city Vivek Syiem, who is heading the Special Investigation Team (SIT), that it was due to the pressure of BDO Jirang and NGOs in Ri Bhoi that the police officer committed suicide is hard to believe if one goes by the statement to the media by the wife of Marbaniang, Chaleth Pyngrope in February this year.
While talking to reporters in February, Pyngrope had said that her husband was not afraid of the pressure from the higher ups.
It was on January 24 that the body of Marbaniang was found with bullet injury on back of his head, a day after he detained 32 trucks carrying coal to Assam violating NGT order.
The initial response of the police at Ri Bhoi was that it was a suicide case, but with contradicting reports on the manner of death, the police version had come under criticism which compelled the police headquarters to register a murder case in February. Now the SIT is also going back to the old version of the police at Ri-Bhoi that it was a suicide case.
Regarding her interactions over phone, the wife of late police officer had told reporters on February 5 this year at her residence at Umpling, “I asked him what he did was right or wrong ( detention of trucks ) and he replied that he did the right thing. I have also made a query whether he was afraid and his reply was there was no reason for him to fear and I have supported his courage and honesty”. The last call the police officer made to his wife was at 8.42 pm on January 24.
Suicide theory illogical
Speaking to The Shillong Times on Saturday at her Umpling residence, Chaleth Pyngrope, while rejecting the suicide angle as pointed out by SIT leader Vivek Syiem, said that her husband had spoken about the upcoming duty at 5 am on January 25 a day before his death. “He had also told me that he had finished his food. How can a man who was prepared for tomorrow can commit suicide”, she asked.
She also said that there were no suicide tendencies as her husband was committed to religious values.
She asserted the need to have a high level probe into the death of her husband.
The mother of the late police officer, Dorothy Marbaniang told The Shillong Times at her Upper Shillong residence that the relatives have lost faith in the probe of SIT.
The mother is eagerly waiting for the Court to order a CBI probe into the matter after she had filed a petition before the Court.
Mary Marbaniang, the sister of late police officer said that SIT leader Vivek Syiem has already passed his judgment with his concluding statement that the police official has committed suicide at a time when the matter is still pending with the High Court.
” He ( late Marbaniang) was a regular church goer, and believed in living life to its fullest despite difficulties and problems. He had even disliked people taking away lives by terming them as cowards”, Mary said, contradicting the suicide theory.
Believing that the murder of her brother is an inside job, Mary wanted the police to quiz the higher ups and others allegedly involved.
SIT silent on destruction of evidence.
Another glaring thing is that the crime scene was disturbed and washed even before a proper inquiry was conducted. SIT is yet to find out what made the police personnel posted there to destroy the crime scene.
During her visit to the official quarter of police officer PJ Marbaniang after the incident in February , the wife of Marbaniang who had accompanied SIT and forensic experts had revealed 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.
This had raised suspicion on the role of the people accessible to the quarter after the death of Marbaniang. She had also suspected that thatcrucial evidences were destroyed.
SIT is yet to share the findings on who destroyed the crime scene which would have provided clues to the murder of Marbaniang, sources said.
SIT under pressure?
A former police officer wanted to know how can police come to the conclusion just after the arrest of a few persons that it was a suicide case before completing the inquiry, which will also be sub-judice and can influence the decisions of the High Court since the matter is pending in the Court.
The officer also said that thought police knew about the involvement of government officials and the pressure groups early part of this year, their arrests came at a time when the High Court has fixed the next date of hearing on the matter for October 26.
During the last hearing of the High Court on September 22, the Court had cautioned that if the reports are not filed within the stipulated time”. This court may pass appropriate order, which may not be melodious in consequence”
The former police official suspected panic reaction on the part of SIT to come to the conclusion that it was a suicide case.
The alleged involvement of police in the crime as pointed out by many quarters was skipped by SIT which, otherwise should have been open for probe, the official added.
Already sensing what was in store due to the inquiry by the police, the mother of the late police officer had demanded CBI inquiry into the matter which is pending to be decided by the Court.