SHILLONG, MAY 8: A one-man Commission of Inquiry led by Justice (Retd) T Vaiphei will look into the violence that erupted in Garo Hills on March 9 during the filing of nomination papers for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council polls.
The Home (Political) Department’s notification, issued under Chief Secretary Dr Shakhil Ahammed, said the probe was ordered after the government received reports of social unrest and subsequent violence in Garo Hills linked to the nomination day incident, citing “the larger issues arising out of the violence and social disturbances and the subsequent loss of human lives and properties.”
Acting under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952, the Governor has mandated the panel to establish the sequence of events that led to the March 9 incident in West Garo Hills and to assess any lapses by officials or authorities in preventing it.
The Commission’s mandate extends to identifying the underlying causes of the unrest and recommending administrative and institutional reforms to avoid similar incidents.
The notification also directs the panel to propose relief measures, including financial assistance, for families who lost lives or property as a direct result of the disturbances.
Justice Vaiphei’s Commission must submit its findings and recommendations within six months of the notification date.
The hearings will be based in Tura unless the panel decides on a different venue.
Empowered to set its own procedures, the Commission can draw on officials and subject experts during the inquiry and will exercise powers of a civil court under the 1952 Act.
All expenses related to the probe “will be borne by the Commissioner of Division, Garo Hills,” the order added.
By Our Reporter
