The Meghalaya cabinet has approved an independent inquiry into the brutal attack on social activist Agnes Kharshiing and her aide Amita Sangma on November 8.
Home minister James P.K. Sangma told reporters after the cabinet meeting on Monday that the terms of reference of the inquiry, including the person who will head it and its decided by the political and law departments.
He said an independent inquiry would look into all aspects — mining and circumstances that led to the attack. “We want a comprehensive inquiry which will look at the totality,” James said.
Amita had named Nidamon Chullet, an NPP leader in East Jaiñtia Hills, as the main accused. He is still at large.
“The police are taking action based on an investigation and this independent inquiry will go way back to the genesis of the ban on coal mining since 2014 and the roots that led to the incident on November 8. The probe will look into all aspects,” James said.
An Assembly committee on empowerment of women will present a preliminary report in the House on Tuesday. It will demand an independent inquiry and compensation to be disbursed to the victims immediately.
After a meeting in which officials of the district administration of East Jaiñtia Hills were summoned, chairperson of the committee and Congress MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh said the preliminary report would be tabled in the House to apprise Speaker Donkupar Roy and other members of lapses on the part of the district administration.
The committee pulled up officials of East Jaiñtia Hills district and asked them to cite reason for failure to arrest the main accused though the attack took place at Sohshrieh.
“The committee is very disturbed with the way the investigation is on and delay in nabbing the culprits. Only six persons have been arrested, but the main accused is still at large. An inquiry by an additional deputy commissioner, S.S. Syiemlieh, is also taking time,” Ampareen said.
Deputy commissioner F.M. Dopth and superintendent of police S. Nongtnger appeared before the committee, but Syiemlieh abstained.
