SHILLONG, Feb 5: The Justice T Vaiphei-headed one-man inquiry commission, probing the killing of Cheristerfield Thangkhiew, visited the former HNLC leader’s residence at Mawlai Kynton Massar on Saturday for an inspection of the place of occurrence.
Justice Vaiphei said the probe panel had on Friday examined East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police, Jagpal Singh Dhanoa who had led the pre-dawn operation on August 13 during which Thangkhiew was shot dead in “retaliatory firing” by the police.
Two more police personnel were to be examined on Saturday but it did not materialise due to power cut at the commission’s office. It did not have any backup or generators.
The two cops will be examined on February 24 and 25. The hearing cannot take place next week since the counsels from New Delhi will not be able to come to Shillong, Justice Vaiphei said.
After the two personnel are examined, the commission will next examine the witnesses from Thangkhiew’s family.
Stating that he and the other counsels are working on mutual consent, Justice Vaiphei said they would try to complete the probe at the earliest. The hearing had started on September 9.
The state government had ordered the probe buckling under pressure from the pressure groups.