SHILLONG: The Civil Society Women’s Organisation (CSWO) has rejected the judicial probe into the assault of its chief Agnes Kharshiing and her colleague Amita Sangma on November 8.
“We want the CBI to investigate the matter and we do not know why the government is adamant on judicial probe,” CSWO general secretary Evangelene Thabah said on Sunday.
The organisation has also questioned the apathy of the police in arresting the prime accused and others involved in the brutal attack.
“We want to know where the others are as only six persons have been arrested. What about the 30 people who had pounced on the activist,” Thabah said.
The CSWO said the police in East Jaintia Hills know about the whereabouts of all the remaining accused but are not taking action since there is a nexus between politicians, police and coal mafia.
According to the CSWO, a criminal investigation by the CBI can only result in charge-sheeting the culprits as the government can reject the judicial probe report as happened in the past.
Activist cited SP’s apathy
The chairman of North East Indigenous People Federation (NEIPF), Marshall Biam, in his FIR on November 8 filed before the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eastern Range, had alleged apathy on the part of East Jaintia Hills SP for taking action against those who assaulted him for revealing police-coal mafia nexus.
Biam had named several accused who had allegedly assaulted him on November 6 and the names of NPP leader Nidamon Chullet, Graham Lyngdoh, headman of Tuber Kmaishnong village and Hamlen Rymbai are in the FIR.
While Hamlen was arrested for the attack on Agnes and Amita, Nidamon and Graham are still at large.
Sources said had the police been prompt in acting against the accused persons when they attacked Biam on November 6, the same team would not have become active in taking on Agnes and Amita on November 8. The FIR of Biam said he was forcefully taken by the accused in a vehicle to the office chamber of SP Sylvester Nongtnger and they asked him to withdraw the complaint.
“The superintendent of police even directed me to withdraw the complaint despite informing him that I was not the complainant,” Biam had said in his FIR.
The accused had demanded withdrawal of complaints lodged by other members of NEIPF regarding illegal collection of money by the officer in charge of Khliehriat police station H Khonglah from coal trucks.
Biam had also alleged that he was beaten up by the accused in the presence of SI Iawphniaw, officer in charge of Ladrymbai outpost and other police men.
Sources said despite the allegation of police-coal mafia nexus, the Home Department is yet to transfer the SP and the police team from Ladrymbai and Khliehriat.
Curiously, a DSP from Khliehriat is the investigating officer probing the assault on Agnes and Amita under the supervision of the SP.
