SHILLONG: The government finally yielded to the pressure from activists and ordered an independent inquiry on Monday into the attack on activists Agnes Kharshiing and Amita Sangma on November 8.
Speaking to media persons after the Cabinet meeting, Home Minister James Sangma said the modalities of the independent inquiry “will be worked out by the Political Department in consultation with the Law Department”.
Sangma, however, refused to comment as to who will head the inquiry though he said as per convention, retired high court judges conduct such inquiries.
“The independent inquiry will get to the genesis of the issue right from the year 2014 when the NGT first imposed a blanket ban on coal mining,” said Sangma as he asserted that the government wants a comprehensive inquiry into the matter.
When asked about the NPP leader from East Jaintia Hills who is suspected to be the prime accused in the assault case, he said the party affiliation of the accused does not matter and “if he is guilty, law will take its own course”.
The committee on women’s empowerment headed by East Shillong MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh had earlier demanded an independent inquiry.
The committee on Monday summoned East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner FM Dopth and SP Sylvester Nongtnger to get a status of the investigation into the attack by a mob of around 40 people.
It has also asked the deputy commissioner to ensure that compensation to the two victims, as decided by the High Court, is paid within seven days. The panel members criticised the East Jaintia Hills district administration’s initial plan to pay a paltry Rs 12,700 to each victim from the Disaster Management corpus of the district.
The committee took exception to the absence of Additional Deputy Commissioner SS Syiemlieh who did not respond to the summons though he is conducting the inquiry. “We have asked for an explanation from him,” the committee members said.
The ADC was also criticised for his “insensitivity” in summoning Agnes for inquiry despite her critical condition.
Syiemlieh has been asked to submit the probe report on November 30. The committee members complained that he sought more time to conduct a “normal inquiry” that is going on in a “slow pace”.
‘Missing links’
The committee objected to various lapses during the course of the investigation by the district authorities.
Lyngdoh said the panel will submit a preliminary report of their findings so far during the special Assembly session on Tuesday. “We want an independent inquiry in which there shall be no officials from that particular district,” Lyngdoh said.
On the other hand, HM Shangpliang, a member, said both the civil activists were offered tea at Ladrymbai police outpost before they proceeded to Sohshrieh village.
He informed that an ASI and a constable were present at the police station and after the incident the constable has gone on leave. “There are many missing links,” Shangpliang said.
The committee said one of the victims, Amita Sangma, had sent a letter to the DGP about the attackers and though the letter was forwarded to the SP concerned, no action has been taken so far.
The District Administration of East Jaintia Hills including DC and SP who appeared before the Committee also informed that so far 6 persons have been arrested while two have been picked up for interrogation in connection with the assault on Kharshiing and her colleague.
The committee is also contemplating to visit Kharshiing depending on the advice of the doctors.
