House panel on women to meet DGP, others in filicide case

SHILLONG, June 19: Following their summon, Director-General of Police Lajja Ram Bishnoi, Meghalaya State Women Commission chairperson Phidalia Toi and Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights chairperson Iamonlang M Syiem will appear before the Meghalaya Assembly Committee on Empowerment of Women on Monday in connection with the May 30 filicide case that has rocked the state.
The case pertains to the alleged murder of two minors by their father, Joefreeson Jana at Wahktieh, Nongrah Nonglum.
The meeting will be held in the conference room of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly at 11.30 am.
Chairperson of the House panel, Ampareen Lyngdoh said they would be seeking the status of the inquiry into the alleged murder of the two minors.
She said she will also be seeking the details of all complaints filed at the Rynjah police station prior to the recovery of the bodies of the two minors. Their mother had lodged a complaint of domestic violence against Jana three days before reporting that her children were missing.
“We would also want the status of the action-taken report by the police after this (filicide) incident,” Lyngdoh said.
Lyngdoh further said they would like to know what steps the MSCW and MSCPCR have taken in connection with this case.
The MSCW, it may be recalled, had accused police of failing to on the complaint of domestic violence against Jana on May 27 had decided to seek action against the police personnel. The commission had also decided to write to Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui seeking to know why the police failed to heed the complaint by the mother of the slain children.
Jana had assaulted her by the roadside while she was on her way to work.
The police alleged brushed the case aside as a family dispute and advised counselling for her husband.
“The decision of the police to not take action is highly questionable since the man was a habitual offender and also an alcoholic,” the MSCW chairperson had said.