SHILLONG, MAY 29: Meghalaya government on Thursday assured that it is committed to abide by the directions of the National Human Rights Commission in dealing with all cases of custodial death while urging the citizens not to be swayed by misconceptions and unfounded misgivings that might further vitiate the peace in Garo Hills region.
The statement came following the custodial death of Witson M Sangma (28), an alleged over ground worker of the GNLA, who died in the police lock-up at Chokpot in South Garo hills district yesterday, ten days after Balsan Marak (20) died in Tura in judicial custody.
“The government reassures the members of the public and the members of the bereaved family in particular that the law will be upheld and strictly implemented,” the state government release stated.
The government also informed the South Garo Hills deputy commissioner has ordered a magisterial enquiry to be conducted by SD Marak, Additional Deputy Commissioner with a direction that a report be submitted within a period of 30 (thirty) days.
Expressing deep anguish at the unfortunate incident the state government conveyed its deepest condolences to the bereaved family. The release said, “On receipt of the magisterial enquiry report and based on its findings and recommendations, firm and decisive action will be taken and anyone found to be responsible directly or indirectly for the unfortunate incident will be brought to book and exemplary punishment, if and wherever required, will be imposed.”
According to the government statement, preliminary report indicates that on May 20, 2014, the Chockpot police recovered 2 (two) improvised explosive devices planted by suspected GNLA cadres at Dagal Dopgre, main road.
The IEDs were packed with explosives and iron pieces, packed in 2 (two) five litre pressure cookers, which were subsequently defused by the bomb aquad personnel, the release stated.
The release further informed that on May 27 at about 11.45 am, the police detained one GNLA cadre, namely, Witson M Sangma (35yrs) S/o Late Nohen Mareak of Warima Duragre village from Chokpot Bazar (SGH), who was suspected to have supplied the components for the IEDs, which were recovered on May 20, 2014.
The statement said during the interrogation at the police station, the accused admitted to the charges of supplying the ingredients for the IEDs. The arrested person was later sent for medical examination to the Chokpot CHC at around 4.30 pm, it claimed.
The statement informed that during the medical checkup at CHC, Dr Roswell Sangma, the medical officer (MO) on duty, opined that the arrested person was suffering from hypertension and medicines as prescribed were given to the arrested person.
The medical officer also opined that the arrested person was otherwise fit to be kept in the lockup, the release said.
Further the statement informed that at around 5.30 pm, the arrested person was brought to Chokpot police station and kept in the lock-up for safe custody.
Around 11.30 pm, the sentry on duty noticed that the arrested person was lying unconscious in the lockup and reported the matter to SI Apang K Marak, the Officer-in-Charge of Chokpot police station, who brought the matter to the knowledge of Dr Roswell Sangma of Chokpot CHC.
The medical officer arrived at Chokpot police station on May 28, around 12.30 am and after examining the arrested person declared that he had died, the statement said.
On May 28, around 2.30 pm, TG Momin, ADM, Baghmara arrived at Chokpot police station and conducted inquest over the dead body as per the guidelines laid down by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the statement said adding the SP, Baghmara has also sent a report to the NHRC on the matter.- By Our Reporter
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