SHILLONG, Jan 7: The Justice T Vaiphei-headed one-man inquiry commission probing the killing of former HNLC leader, Cheristerfield Thangkhiew held its first hearing on Friday.
The Meghalaya police had earlier filed an application requesting the commission to conduct the proceedings in camera excluding the victim’s family members.
“(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,” Justice Vaiphei said.
He said the Meghalaya police’s request was granted and only the legal counsel for the family of the victim, police officials concerned and officials of the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC), of which he is the chairman, will be allowed to participate or enter the courtroom of MHRC. The state is expected to produce the evidence on January 14 and 15. Justice Vaiphei said the commission will have continuous sittings. He is determined to complete the inquiry at the earliest despite procedural wrangling.
The state government had ordered the probe last year in the wake of breakdown of law and order in Shillong after Thangkhiew was killed in an “encounter” by the police at his residence in Mawlai Kynton Massar on August 13, 2021.
As requested, the probe panel was granted one month’s extension in November last year.