SIT visits late cop quarter for probe

The SIT team seen with the late cop PJ Marbaniang's family members and ngos visiting the late cop official quarter for investigation — ***The SIT team seen with the late cop PJ Marbaniang’s family members and ngos visiting the late cop official quarter for investigation***

SHILLONG, FEB 17: Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Shillong city SP Vivek Syiem to investigate into the “controversial death” of Partharkhmah office in charge Sub Inspector PJ Marbaniang visited the deceased official quarter at Patharkhmah in Ri Bhoi district as part of the in-dept probe and seized the laptop and also made took not of the bullet mark on the ceiling.

The SIT team had earlier exhumed the slain cop body from Umpling cemetery as part of their investigation. Vivek Syiem was accompanied by a team of forensic officials headed by Forensic Science Shillong assistant director N Nongkynrih.

Late Marbaniang’s wife and family members along with CSWO members were also present during the investigation on the official quarter. From the room of the late cop the investigation team seized his laptop and also handed over his belonging to the family members.

“We had seized the laptop. However, we cannot divulge anything since the process of investigation is going on,” Syiem told reporters after the investigation. The team also examined the bullet mark on the ceiling of the roof.

Syiem informed that the samples required for the investigation have been collected.

Nongkynrih, on the other hand, said that the forensic report will be submitted within a one or two week’s time.

On January 24, Marbaniang was found critically injured with a gunshot on his head in his official quarter, a day after detaining several illegal coal trucks which raised suspicion that something was seriously wrong and there could be foul play.

The Ri Bhoi police had claimed that Marbaniang had allegedly shot himself with his service revolver and, therefore, a clear case of suicide.

But Marbaniang’s wife and family members refused to believe the police version that the cop had committed suicide and accordingly filed an FIR in Nongpoh demanding a independent probe.

Accordingly, the state government announced the formation of SIT to probe into the death of Marbaniang. The state government has given 3 months (90 days) time for the SIT to complete the investigation and submit its report.- By Our Reporter