SHILLONG: Like the ‘Education Scam’ probe by the police which is in limbo, a fresh probe by West Jaintia Hills police into the alleged fake encounter killing of Fullmoon Dhar on May 31, 2009, the mastermind in the infamous Shillong jailbreak incident, has not made any progress.
During the seven years’ period, many inquiries including the probe by the Judicial Inquiry Commission were carried out, but in vain as the truth remained elusive.
The Judicial Inquiry Commission had earlier ruled out any fake encounter in Dhar’s death.
It was in November 2013 that the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Jowai had issued a directive asking the West Jaintia Hills SP to probe the matter after fresh allegations of fake encounter cropped up.
However, instead of the SP probing the case as required by the court, the matter was entrusted to another investigation officer in the district.
When contacted, West Jaintia Hills SP R. Muthu said on Sunday that the investigation was still going on.
“The matter is being probed by an investigation officer and for further details you can speak to the PRO,” Muthu said without divulging any details and the name of the investigation officer.
In one of the most daring prison breaks in Meghalaya, seven under-trial prisoners led by ring leader Dhar had escaped from Shillong jail on May 31, 2009.
However, the next day, police shot dead Dhar in a village in West Jaintia Hills, while other six under trial prisoners were re-captured.
In June 2009, CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing demanded a fresh probe into the case and filed an FIR with Jowai Police.
According to the FIR, Dhar was alleged to have been caught alive first and shot dead later.
Though the matter was probed twice – one by Investigation Officer G.U. Wahlang, then Circle Inspector Khliehriat, and another by then Inspector D.H. Pde – the probe failed to shed more light into the nature of Dhar’s killing. Hence, these officers closed the case terming it as ‘final report’ since they could not prove anything in the absence of evidence against Jowai police.
However, objection was raised by Kharshiing who petitioned the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Jowai supported by documents stating that the investigation should be handed over to the CBI or any other independent agency for a fair probe.
Following this, the Chief Judicial Magistrate in the order asked the SP of West Jaintia Hills to probe the matter. While there was no final outcome of the probe during the tenure of then SP Hubert Lyngdoh, Kharshiing reminded the new SP R. Muthu about the order of the Chief Judicial Magistrate and subsequently, an Inspector was entrusted with the task of probing the matter afresh.
On February 9 this year, Kharshiing had also submitted the documents, besides giving her statement to the investigation officer V. Upadhyay.
