Arrest of villager led police to burial site of a cop

TURA: The arrest of a village employment secretary from Tapa Daringchi area by Meghalaya police over two weeks ago resulted in Saturday’s discovery of the shallow grave where head constable Khomraj Bhattarai was killed and buried by suspected GNLA militants.
North Garo Hills police had obtained crucial information that VEC secretary Walison N Sangma was ordered by GNLA area commander Rakban D Shira alias Piliport to dig a pit and bury the executed policeman.
He was also threatened with retaliation if he revealed the burial site to authorities.
When Walison was arrested by the district police two weeks ago he refused to divulge any information fearing for his life and had to be forwarded to judicial custody thereafter.
Having confirmed the involvement of the VEC secretary in the disposal of the body, police realized that the burial site could not be in another location and a search was launched for three consecutive days and with teams camping in the area during the night ultimately leading to the discovery of the grave on Saturday.
Police have also identified two senior GNLA cadres, Tengrak and Kalmod alias Rabon, along with area commander Piliport, who reportedly shot dead head constable Khomraj on the day of his abduction.
He was reportedly killed in front of the villagers after the GNLA militants found his police photo identity card in his pocket during a search.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya police have vowed to bring to justice the killers of the unarmed policeman.
“We are determined to bring Piliport, Kalmod and Tengrak Marak to justice for murdering an unarmed policeman,” stated the state police. Meghalaya police will be giving full police honours to the slain policeman at Mendipather on Sunday.
The deceased is survived by his wife and two sons.