SHILLONG, MAR 7: West Garo hills district administration on Saturday ordered three magisterial inquiries and a jail probe. The inquiries instituted have been assigned with the tasked to probe into the recent gruesome murder of five persons, the death of a son of a Nokma in an alleged fake encounter, the death of an UTP Rajiv Marak at the district jail and the availability and subsequent use of mobile phones inside the jail recently.
“We have ordered for three magisterial inquiries and a jail probe into the cases,” West Garo hills deputy commissioner Pravin Bakshi informed on Saturday.
The inquiries will be headed by four Additional Deputy Commissioners (ADCs) which include – AVD Shira , Sabrella B Marak, Z J Sangma, and S K Marak who is also holding additional charge of Tura district jail superintendent.
On the murder of five persons, Bakshi said, “The ambit of the inquiry shall extend to investigate the circumstances which led to the killings , the role played by villagers and alleged aggressors and shall record depositions and statements of all witnesses .However in view of the series of allegations and possible intimidation of witnesses the depositions will be recorded on camera and independently for all the witnesses and deponents.”
The inquiry which will be headed by ADV Shira came in the wake of petitions received from legal counsels representing various groups and individuals and in view of the allegations and counter allegations made in the case involving gruesome unnatural death in Mrigre under Rongram police outpost over the allegations of witchcraft and multiple murders case and to enquire into the series of events which led to the unfortunate death.
As per guidelines of National Human Rights Commission there shall also be a magisterial inquiry into the death of one Sengbath Ch Marak – son of a Nokma as an outcome of the police operations in Oragitok where allegations and counter allegations are being traded and it is mandatory as per guidelines and directions of NHRC that in such matters the truth needs to be ascertained with a sensitive and all encompassing magisterial inquiry to record all statements and depositions of eye witnesses and police team, Bakshi said.
According to Bakshi, like in the Mrigre case as the matter is sensitive the depositions will be on camera to ensure that the statements are independent and first- hand accounts are duly recorded and corroborated.
This inquiry will be conducted by Sabrella B Marak , Additional Deputy Commissioner , Tura .
Also as per NHRC there shall also be a third magisterial inquiry into the death of UTP Rajiv Marak from Baghmara in District Jail , Tura .
Bakshi said though preliminary reports do not suggest any foul play as of now as per NHRC guidelines any such death in police or judicial custody has to be inquired into by a magistrate and informed that the inquiry shall be conducted by Z J Sangma , additional deputy commissioner , Tura .
Further, Bakshi said that as per instructions of higher authorities in the government there shall be an inquiry to investigate into the matter of recovery of mobile phones and reports of their use from inside the Tura district jail by the UTPs and jail inmates.
The inquiry shall be conducted by additional deputy commissioner S K Marak who is also holding additional charge of Superintendent of the Tura district jail. Bakshi informed that the magistrate is holding a temporary charge of the Superintendent of District Jail in view of the superannuation of the Superintendent of the jail as per directions of higher authorities in the home (prisons) department .
Bakshi said the probe shall also suggest remedial measures for more effective jail administration , visit by outsiders in the jail , staffing , security related issues and movement of inmates to and from the jail to the district courts.
Bakshi informed that all inquiries will be completed in 30 days time.- By Our Reporter
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