CWE demands independent inquiry into attack on social activist

The CWE headed by opposition Congress East Shillong legislator Ampareen Lyngdoh has also decided to place a preliminary report on the findings of the Committee before the Assembly’s Speaker during the special session to be held tomorrow.

It has also took strong cognizance on the state government’s decision to pay only Rs 12,700 each as compensation to the victims for their medical expenses and asked that Rs 5 lakh be released within seven days.

These decisions and observations were made after the CWE has summoned the East Jaintia Hills District’s Deputy Commissioner FM Dopth and Superintendent of Police Sylvester Nongtyngnger during its meeting held here on Monday.

The meeting was also attended by the Investigating Officer (IO) of the case, Officer in-charge of Ladrymbai Police outpost and others.

Agnes and Amita Sangma were critically injured after they were attacked by more than 30-40 people suspected to be coal mafias at Sohshrieh village on November 8, just after taking pictures of coal laden trucks.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Lyngdoh said, “The state government should take our suggestion to constitute an Independent inquiry which should be away from the district officials.”

The Independent inquiry is because there were too many “missing links”, she said while pointing out that there were also too many details that were not made available to the committee.

The chairperson also informed that the Committee has objected the institution of an enquiry at the level of an Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) to probe into the murder attempt on the two women activists.

It may be mentioned here, Dopth had recently ordered an enquiry by the ADC SS Syiemlieh who was given 15 days time to submit his report into the matter.

“This is in itself is concerning us because we believe that life threatening threat against two prominent women in the state of Meghalaya only takes the attention of a committee headed by the ADC,” Lyngdoh said.

She also added – “It is unfortunate despite being a state which respects women but women are given least importance as even the SP of the district made a comment saying that there is shortage of manpower to be engaged on a manhunt and conducting enquiry on this.”

Highlighting on the observations made by the CWE, the chairperson said there has been very less progress in the investigation on this brutal attack on the two women activists from the day of the incident till date.

Stating that the arrest made does not substantiate the seriousness of this crime in a matrilineal state, she said only six arrests were made so far and we are made to understand not all of them remain in police custody.

“We are told by the DC and SP that the main accused persons suspected by the police remained to be at large not to be found, not to be apprehended and not to be traced. This is a very serious lapse. Our committee strongly object to this very casual approach that has been adopted by the district administration on such a serious crime,” Lyngdoh added.

Observing that there seems to be a lot of lapses on the enquiry conducted by the district administration, she said the CWE told the DC that it is impossible to believe that key officials who were present in the district prior to the assault on the two women have not been interrogated and inquire upon.

Slamming the district administration for suggesting a compensation of only Rs 12,700 per victim, Lyngdoh said it took a Court order to instruct the government to release Rs 5 lakh to each victim which is still pending.

Meanwhile, the chairperson informed that the CWE would submit its preliminary report on the incident to appraise the Speaker and all members of the House on the lapses observed by the Committee.

“We need to solicit everybody’s support in the 60-member House so that we get a consensus from the well of the House as to what we need to do to send a strong message to criminals who want to not only disturb peace of the state but attack women in such a cowardly act…otherwise will not get justice to the injustice done to these two women,” she said.

By Our Reporter