Justice Vaiphei to head judicial probe into killing of ex-HNLC leader

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 18, 2021

Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) chairperson Justice T Vaiphei will head the Judicial Inquiry into the police firing that led to the death of former HNLC leader Cherishterfield Thangkhiew on August 13.

This was informed by the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma after a meeting held with headmen from Mawlai area and leaders of different social organizations.

Addressing media persons, Sangma said that the Judiciary Inquiry was constituted under the Commission of Inquiry Act and it will submit its report to the government once the probe is completed.

The Chief Minister informed that since the judicial inquiry has been constituted headed by the chairperson of MHRC, it is fair for the government to wait for the report and take necessary action based on the findings of the inquiry.

Vaiphei, retired as the Chief Justice of Tripura High Court and the Chairperson of Assam Human Rights Commission.

“So him being the chairman of the MHRC and also being the chairperson of this inquiry committee, it will be serving both the purposes from the human rights aspect and also ensuring that this judicial inquiry is given complete freedom and Independence and full power to look into all aspects of this particular case,” he said.

His statement came in the wake of growing demand for immediate suspension of the police team involved in the alleged fake encounter that led to the death of Thangkhiew.

“We have informed all the members that only once the reports come in to us only when we find out the details only then, will it be able to identify who was responsible for what action and only then will be possible for us to take action in terms of suspension or any other kind of extreme order or action that has to be taken and that the government is committed to doing that…,” Conrad said

He said that the government is confident that the report will be submitted at the earliest.

Asked, the Chief Minister said the government has assured the delegation that in the future this kind of raids or operations should be done in close coordination with the headmen.

“We’ve informed all of them that yes, accordingly appropriate procedures will always be followed and in the future also will ensure that more steps are taken in order to take people to confidence in such cases in the future also,” he said.

On the demand for shifting the CRPF camp from Mawlai area, Conrad said the process has already started and the CRPF has also indicated in a positive manner that they also would like to get a permanent location.

“So it’s a win-win situation for both sides, so the process has started and we will be shifting the camp from there after the procedure and process is done and at the same time obviously infrastructure also has to be created for the CRPF in the new location wherever they are placed,” he said.

The Chief Minister has also appeal for everybody to work together for restoring peace in the city and the state as a whole.