By Our Reporter
Shillong, Sep 29: The Justice (retd) T Vaiphei-headed one-man commission probing the Mukroh firing incident of November last year will visit the site after the cross-examination of West Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Bikram D Marak.
Vaiphei told reporters on Friday that Marak (former SP of West Jaintia Hills) will be cross-examined on October 6. He said after cross-examination, he will visit Mukroh to familiarise himself with its topography.
To a query, he said he will not be able to indicate anything now as to when he can submit his report.
“I am not competing with the Assam Commission of Inquiry. I will go at my own pace,” he said.
The Justice (retd) Rumi Kumari Phukan-headed Commission submitted its report to the Assam government on September 20. Vaiphei said it will be difficult to predict anything since the matter entails legal proceedings.
“My endeavour is to complete the inquiry before November,” he said, adding that he is happy with the proceedings and cooperation he received so far from all concerned, including lawyers from Assam, witnesses, villagers, police and forest officials.
The proceedings are going on smoothly, but may be affected if any of the parties cannot come, Vaiphei said.
He said ex-parte proceeding does not work and it is not in the interest of anyone. He said everyone must be given a chance to present their case and only then, the truth will come out.
Meanwhile, during the hearing on Friday, Aiborlang Shadap, MDC from Barato-Mukroh constituency, and Rangbah Shnong of Mukroh, Hamboydei Sumer were cross-examined by the counsel for Assam.
Meghalaya counsels AS Pandey and A Sharan, Assam’s Additional Advocate General PN Goswami and counsel D Gogoi, counsel for the Mukroh villagers TL Jyrwa and counsel for the Vaiphei-headed Commission J Shylla were present.
It was agreed by all counsels that Marak will be cross-examined on October 6.
Six people – five from Meghalaya – were killed in the Mukroh incident.