WILLIAMNAGAR, July 18: The Garo Students’ Union (GSU), Williamnagar Zone, has expressed concern over what it said were several unanswered questions arising from a press release issued by the district police on the cracking of the brutal murder of a 17-year-old girl in one of the localities of Williamnagar.
Referring to Williamnagar Women Police Station Case No. 13/2025 under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the GSU said that in a matter of such grave public importance, transparency and accountability were essential to uphold public confidence in the administration of justice.
“According to the release, the identity of the highly decomposed body recovered from Dawa Matchakolgre village on July 29, 2025, was established on the basis of DNA profiling and other corroborative evidence. However, there is no clarification as to how a body reportedly recovered merely twelve days after the incident of July 18, 2025, could have decomposed to such an extent that it became unidentifiable except through DNA analysis and personal belongings allegedly found on the deceased,” stated the GSU.
It further noted that the police communiqué was silent on several crucial aspects of the forensic investigation, including the exact date and time of death as determined by the post-mortem examination, whether the physical attributes of the deceased, such as height, age and body structure, corresponded with those of accused James R. Sangma, and whether any additional scientific indicators were relied upon to conclusively establish the identity of the recovered body.
“We seek clarification of whether upon the conclusion of the investigation and the scientific confirmation of the identity of the deceased, the mortal remains were handed over to the family members of Late James R. Sangma in accordance with law. In the event that the mortal remains were not claimed or released to the family, the Union requests the authorities to clarify the procedure that was followed thereafter. The Union believes that this aspect assumes significance, particularly in view of the conclusion reached by the investigating agency regarding the identity of the recovered body,” stated GSU president Goera Sangma.
The GSU was of the view that the mere recovery of personal belongings and the establishment of a biological relationship through DNA profiling, without placing before the public the complete forensic findings and other material particulars, left room for legitimate questions and concerns.
“In the interest of justice and public confidence, the Union calls upon the competent authorities to disclose whether all prescribed scientific procedures relating to the collection, preservation and examination of biological samples were duly followed and whether any independent expert opinion was obtained in support of the conclusions reached by the investigating agency,” the GSU said.
“We express concern over the tragic loss of the young girl whose death gave rise to the present case. Beyond the question of identity of the deceased accused, the public is equally entitled to know whether the police received any prior information or complaint regarding the incident, whether adequate preventive measures were taken to protect the victim and whether any lapse or failure on the part of the authorities contributed to the unfortunate outcome,” the GSU added.
The organisation said an enquiry must also ascertain whether timely intervention by the authorities could have prevented the loss of an innocent life and, if any negligence or dereliction of duty was found, whether responsibility was fixed on the concerned officials in accordance with law.
“The issues raised herein are neither intended to prejudice the judicial proceedings nor to undermine the investigation conducted by the District Police. Rather, they are being raised in the larger public interest and in pursuit of truth, accountability and justice,” stated the GSU while appealing to the general public to refrain from spreading rumours and urging the authorities to place all relevant facts before the court and the people.
