Govt goes slow on starting probe into assault

SHILLONG: Months after the attack on RTI activist Agnes Kharshiing and her aide Amita Sangma, the state government is still struggling to make a decision on the reference of inquiry into the case.
Earlier, the government had decided to institute a judicial inquiry into the circumstances which led to the attack but it was never administered. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Monday told reporters that he had asked the Political Department to come up with terms of reference and the department is preparing the draft.
“The judicial inquiry into the matter needs to be done properly and once the draft terms of reference is ready, the government will take a call on the investigation,” he said.
The modalities of the inquiry will be worked out by the Political Department in consultation with the Law Department.
Agnes and Amita were critically injured after they were attacked by a group of 30-40 people, led by suspected coal mafia at Sohshrieh village in East Jaintia Hills on November 8 and the duo were admitted in hospital in a critical condition.
One of the leaders of the ruling NPP, Nidamon Chullet, is accused of masterminding the attack.