TURA, MAY 26: Under pressure from several ngos, Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma assured them that the government will take appropriate action against whosoever are indicted in by the magisterial and state level probes into the custodial death of Balsan Marak.
The chief minister also appealed to the ngos to refrain from resorting to any agitations till the probe reports of the two inquiries are submitted to the government.
In a letter to the ngos who are demanding a judicial probe into the custodial death, the chief minister requested them not to disturb the peace and social harmony in the region and wait for the probe reports based on which he assured that the government will take penal actions to whosoever are found to be guilty.
The chief minister’s letter to the ngos said, “I am equally distressed at the death of late Balsan Marak at such a young age, while in judicial custody. I deeply share the grief of the bereaved family and also pray for eternal peace of the departed soul”.
Further he assured the NGOs that government will look into the magisterial enquiry constituted by deputy commissioner of West Garo hills district and also the probe by commissioner of division (Garo hills) Peter J Ingty for the sake of “greater independence” and “credibility”.
The chief minister further informed that as the probes will be completed within a stipulated time frame of 30 days, therefore, he said,
“Under the circumstance, it would only be fair and appropriate to await the report. Based on the finding the government will be prepared to take all necessary steps to redress the situation.”
The chief minister assured that the government will not fail to take penal action against any lapses, if found during the course of the inquiry.
Several ngoss, spearheaded by Garo Students Union and North East Student’s Organisation are demanding a judicial probe into the custodial death of Balsan Marak.
The ngos have also demanded that those involved in the assault, which led to the death of Balsan, be immediately suspended and terminated. They also demanded departmental action and contempt of court proceedings against those who failed to follow the directives.
Installation of CCTVs in all the rooms in police stations with recording facility, so that police personnel cannot “callously” torture inmates or prisoners, is another demand of the ngos.
Balsan and two others were arrested on May 13 based on an FIR filed by one of the victims, who is six months pregnant, in the case relating to the illegal detention and also alleged torture of twelve girls.
Five men were arrested in connection with the case, apart from five “activists” on May 9. – By Our Reporter
The Center should also be part of this process so that the Police do not betray as the Police are in two groups…look at what they did to Charles D Shira… he surrendered at Shillong and he was later taken to Nongstoin and tortured there…seems the Police force is becoming a violent force creating terror all over…hiding scams in their shelves seems to be helping them get away with violence..seems they do not want peace as they get to scam from the secret funds in the name of terrorism….We hope all non state actors will come forward for talks because people of the society want peace and security and good governance and they do not want violence . extortion, monopoly of rates of essential commodities …No society will tolerate violence and it should stop and lets come together so we can concentrate on corruption…which is a cancer in the society..