Mukroh: Probe panel to hold its first substantive hearing on Dec 9

SHILLONG, Dec 6: The one-man judicial inquiry commission headed by Justice (retd) T Vaiphei probing the Mukroh firing incident will hold its first substantive hearing on December 9.
It may however be noted that the Commission had held its first hearing in the matter on December 2, but no substantive proceedings could be held since Justice Vaiphei was notified about the Commission only in the evening of Thursday last.
The Commission is even willing to sit for hearing on December 10, if needed.
The Commission would shortly issue public notice in two newspapers of Shillong and Guwahati inviting public to give statement(s) in case they are acquainted with the incident.
In addition, the Commission would also issue notice to the DGPs of Meghalaya and Assam, besides the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) of Assam to give their statements relating to the incident. The Commission may tentatively give around 20 days to the parties to submit their replies.
It was informed that the probe panel has been given only two months’ time to submit its report. But the commission has said that it would be impossible to submit the report within two months, adding that there is every possibility that an extension may be sought from the government.
As per a government notification, the terms of reference for probe include the inquiry into the circumstances leading to firing by Assam Police and Assam forest officials on November 22 resulting in the death of six people; to give a fact finding report as to the culpability or otherwise of the Assam Police and Assam forest officials and any other circumstances in the opinion of the commission.