Amendment of police manual on the anvil
SHILLONG: While accepting the second report into the police firing incident at Mookhep in East Jaintia Hills which left two dead and several injured on September 24, 2014, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Monday assured the House that follow up action including legal proceedings would be initiated against those involved in the incident.
The Chief Minister was reacting to a demand made by Opposition leader Donkupar Roy and others in the Assembly on Monday, pointing out lapses as per the findings on the part of the district administration and the negligence of the police headquarters which led to the incident.
During the Question Hour, the Chief Minister informed that the report of the first magisterial inquiry was submitted on November 6, 2014 but the same was not accepted by the government since it left several pertinent questions unanswered.
A fresh administrative inquiry was constituted to probe further into the incident and this time, the report was submitted to the government on November 24, 2015.
While the first inquiry was carried out by Additional Deputy Commissioner S.S. Syiemlieh, the second probe was headed by Commissioner and Secretary DP Wahlang.
He laid the findings of the administrative inquiry on the table of the House in reply to the question posed by Roy. The most important aspect of the findings was that the police, as per the order of the magistrate, ‘fired in the air’ leaving two people dead.
Another observation is that shortage of manpower led to the firing incident and the police headquarters had failed to act in providing manpower even after the matter was taken up by the SP.
The report said that genesis of the problem was with the NGT ban on coal mining and transportation and the call of indefinite economic blockade by Movement of Indigenous People’s Rights and Livelihood (MIPRL) which led to violence on September 23, 2014.
The report said that the police personnel including the SP, East Jaintia Hills were attacked, pelted stones and fired upon during the economic blockade.
On September 24, situation turned worse after the arrest of a volunteer identified as Eibun Siangshai from Wapungskhur village and the angry crowd wanted the police to release him.
As per the findings, a senior police officer (C. Syrti, who was deputy commandant 3rd MLP battalion) had even suggested to the Deputy Commissioner to free the arrested person to calm down the situation.
When no action was taken, the crowd numbering around 600 started to march along the highway towards Lad Rymbai outpost. The police personnel present were hopelessly outnumbered at Mookhep village. By all estimates, around 15 to 16 police personnel were there to tackle an aggressive crowd of about 600, the findings said.
According to the report, what followed was a tragedy; with mob fury including stone pelting and alleged gun shots from the crowd (no confirmation of this), the police who were outnumbered were forced to take action.
The magistrate present, after assessing the situation, ordered for ‘firing in the air’ to disburse the unruly crowd.
“The police fired in the air at first (as per statement of witness Iaraplang Rymbai) and fled the scene towards Lad Rymbai side. The incident happened between 5.45 to 6 pm on the fateful day and after the firing by the police, chaos ensued and it was found that two people had lost their lives and eight of them were seriously injured,” the findings said.
As per the report, the district administration was fully aware of the likely ramifications of coal mining ban and the district police had written a number of letters to the police headquarters for deployment of additional force.
“The SP of the district had given ample warning to the police headquarters regarding the shortage of force in the district. A reply from the police headquarters was received on November 19, 2015 simply stating that the matter had been taken up with the ADGP (law and order). What action had been taken up by the police headquarters is not, therefore available with the inquiry officer,” the report said.
During the Question Hour, the Opposition continued to exert pressure on the government to take legal action against all involved in the incident.
Raising a question, Roy said though ample warning was given about the shortage of police personnel, it is a matter of concern that the Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order did not take any action on the matter.
Ardent Basaiawmoit (HSPDP) also pointed out that there were two major lapses, first committed by the district administration and another by the police headquarters.
He wanted to know whether any legal action will be taken against the police officers and the district administration.
To this, the Chief Minister said that the report was accepted by the government and usual follow up action will be initiated.
After Roy wanted to know whether the family of the deceased will be provided employment and also adequate compensation, the Chief Minister said that all follow up action will be taken.
To a question on what the government learned from the incident, the Chief Minister said that the government from time to time, based on similar kind of situation, continues to issue advisories to the district administration.
Move to amend police manual
Saleng Sangma (Independent) wanted to know whether instead of shooting with bullets, the government will introduce the use of rubber bullets when police personnel are faced with similar situations.
In reply, the Chief Minister said that in this context, the newly raised SF-10 force has been entrusted with the task of dealing with similar law and order situation besides engaging in anti-insurgency operations.
According to the Chief Minister, there is a need to re-examine and amend the Meghalaya police manual.
“The police manual is very scary as in one section, it is mentioned that bullet should not be wasted and this needs amendment,” the Chief Minister said.