Panel report on assault finds lapses in probe

SHILLONG: The superintendent of police, East Jaintia Hills, was not aware of the visit by the two activists to the coal depot at Tuber Sohshrieh and came to know only after the assault was reported to him by the SSP police headquarters, the Committee on Empowerment of Women has said in its report.
The preliminary report on the assault of CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing and Amita Sangma, which was tabled on Tuesday, said there was “a major lapse in investigation” because many issues were not addressed and there is a need for an independent inquiry.
The committee said that the victims had tea at Ladrymbai outpost with a Constable Sangma who went on leave after the assault was not probed into and “there was no inquiry into the discussion between Constable Sangma and the victims”.
According to report, the police stated that there were about 20-30 people involved in the assault as per the preliminary enquiry and the committee is of the view that the department should strengthen their investigation to arrest the accused.
Only six arrests have been made in 18 days and further delay will create doubts in the minds of people, it added.
The report pointed out that most of the people were found absconding during raids by police.
The panel said the additional deputy commissioner of East Jaintia Hills who was conducting the investigation could not depose before the committee members on Monday and the reason cited was that he was in Delhi for training. It took a serious note of the matter.
The committee was disturbed with the fact that the inquiry of such a brutal attack was left in the hands of an individual who could not even be present to depose but had gone for training giving little or no importance to the inquiry. It recommended that an independent inquiry should be instituted.