SHILLONG, March 8 � Meghalaya Government has ordered magisterial inquiries into the killing of five persons including a school teacher and a woman in West Garo Hills district, the death of a son of a tribal chief in an alleged fake encounter.
Similar inquiries have also been ordered into the death of an undertrial Rajiv Marak at the district jail and the availability and use of mobile phones inside the jail recently.
The inquiries to be headed by four Additional Deputy Commissioners were given one month�s time to submit report to the government, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi said yesterday.
AVD Shira was tasked with investigating the circumstances which led to the killings, the role played by villagers in the gruesome killing of five persons including a school teacher and a woman of two families, he said.
As per guidelines of National Human Rights Commission there will also be a magisterial inquiry into the death of Sengbath Ch Marak � son of a Nokma (chief) resulting out of the police operations in Oragitok village, he said. Additional Deputy Commissioner Sabrella B Marak was tasked with ascertaining the facts as per guidelines and directions of NHRC.
The third magisterial inquiry was to be headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner ZJ Sangma into the death of UTP Rajiv Marak from Baghmara in District Jail, Tura.
Though preliminary reports do not suggest any foul play, as per NHRC guidelines any such death in police or judicial custody has to be inquired into by a magistrate, Bakshi said.
The fourth inquiry was necessitated after the Home department felt the need to have an inquiry to investigate into the matter of recovery of mobile phones and reports of their use from inside the District Jail, Tura by the UTPs and jail inmates.
Additional Deputy Commissioner SK Marak, who is also holding additional charge of Superintendent of District Jail was tasked with the job and he was also asked to suggest remedial measures for more effective jail administration, visit by outsiders in the jail, staffing, security related issues and movement of inmates to and from the jail to the district courts, Bakshi further said. � PTI
