Shillong, Jan 7 : The Chairman of Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC), Justice T Vaiphei, chaired the first hearing of the case pertaining to the killing of ex-HNLC militant Cherishterfield Thangkhiew, on Friday in the capital city.
The Meghalaya police had earlier filed an application requesting the Commission to conduct the proceedings of the inquiry in-camera, in private, excluding the family members of the victim.
“(For) in-camera proceedings, if a request is made by the state government, the law says to allow; but there was a question if in-camera proceedings will include or exclude the families of the victims,” Vaiphei said.
Justice Vaiphei informed that the Meghalaya police’s request was granted and only the learned Counsel for the family of the victim, police officials concerned and officials of the commission will be allowed to participate or enter the courtroom of the MHRC.
The state government is expected to produce the evidence on January 14 and 15.
Asked, the MHRC Chairman assured to have continuous sittings while expressing determination to complete the inquiry at the earliest despite procedural wranglings.
The Judicial inquiry was constituted by the Meghalaya government last year following a breakdown in the law and order in the capital city after Thangkhiew was killed in an “encounter” by the police at his residence in Mawlai Kynton Massar on August 13, 2021.
The Inquiry Committee had sought for an extension, to which the government had granted a month’s extension in November last year.