SHILLONG, NOV 18: Families of the four villagers in Langpih who died in May 14, 2010 in the Assam police firing got compensations of Rs 2 lakhs paid by Assam government and release through the Registry of Meghalaya High Court, but the family members expressed their concern over the Assam government’s failure to punish the erring police personnel who were pronounced guilty by Justice (Retd) PC Phukan Judicial Inquiry Commission two years ago.
“We are yet to get our justice as the Assam government has failed to punish the police personnel responsible behind the indiscriminate firing which resulted in the deaths of our family members,” the four families who came to receive the compensation told reporters .
The compensation was released on Tuesday after the families of the deceased filed a fresh petition against the Assam government for delaying to comply with the Court’s order.
The Meghalaya High Court in its order on January 31 directed the Assam government to pay compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the four families within a period of three months, which has expired in July 21.
The order also stated – “The indiscriminate firing at Langpih by the Assam police is highly arbitrary, irrational and unconstitutional and therefore, the respondents (Assam government) should accept the liabilities of the illegal indiscriminate firing of the Assam police at Langpih (Lampi).”
“Money is not important to us when the police personnel involved in the firing are scot free,” Kardius Syiemlieh, son of (L) Denis Nongsiej said. He said by doling out compensation it is not the end of justice and added, “ We from the families of the deceased victims want that justice should be met.”
The Justice (Retd) PC Phukan Judicial Inquiry Commission, which probed the Langpih incident, had held Assam police personnel guilty for the firing incident which resulted in the death of four Khasi villagers — Charles Lyngkhoi, Denis Nongsiej, Ekros Rani and Columbos Hoojon and injury to 12 others.
The Commission had already submitted the report to Assam Government in March 31, 2012.
“According to the report of the commission, 16 Assam police personnel were found guilty and around 188 rounds were fired during the incident,” the petitioners counsel HL Shangreiso told reporters.
He said after the commission had submitted its report, it is the duty of the Assam government to table the report in the Assembly and also to take necessary action against the erring police personnel. He, however,lamented, “So far, Assam government has not completed the exercise.”
Shangreiso further informed that the bereaved families will file a petition in the Guahati High Court to seek its intervention and direct the Assam government to table the report as well as take punitive action against the police personnel.
MLA – MDC of Rambrai-Jyrngam constituency KP Pangniang said that the matter will also be raised during the upcoming winter session of the Meghalaya assembly which will commence from November 21.
“The Meghalaya government should also demand from its counterpart Assam on the action against the police personnel,” Pangniang said while wondering if the Meghalaya government has any clue on the report submitted by the Justice Phukan Commission.
The bereaved families have so far received a total amount of Rs 8 lakhs each as compensation to loss of their beloved which include Rs 3 lakhs ex gratia from Meghalaya government and Rs 5 lakhs from the Assam government.- By Our Reporter
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