Shillong, April 1: Allegations and counter aggregations on Mukroh incident as per the affidavits of both Assam-Meghalaya officials and the residents of Mukroh have prompted the one-man judicial inquiry commission headed by Justice (retd) T Vaiphei to call for evidence.
While going through the statements of DGPs of Assam and Meghalaya, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force of Assam on one hand and the statements of local MDC, headman and the nine villagers on the other hand, the commission observed on Friday that there are allegations and counter allegations and a decision cannot be arrived from the affidavits.
The commission said to carry forward the hearing, oral evidence of the deponents is necessary which can determine the truth.
Hence, the commission called upon the DGP, Meghalaya to lead his evidence either by himself or by his officials who are acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the case on April 14 at the commission’s building.
The order said that to ensure that the inquiry is completed without any unnecessary delay, ‘be it noted that if all the witnesses being produced on that day, could not be examined on that day, their examination will continue the next day ( April 15) without further reference or notice’.
According to the order of the commission, the witnesses may be cross-examined by the Assam DGP, PCCF and head of the forest force , Assam or their legal representatives.
The order said the copy of any document required can be sought from the commission.
The commission wanted the order to be communicated to all the concerned parties within three days by WhatsApp numbers and email IDs.
Relatives of victims file affidavits
The next of kin of the five Mukroh victims, Khlan Phawa, Ploda Sumer, Riskem Myertem, Nidawan Dkhar and Rilis Nartiang (all women) besides four more villagers, Daman Bhoi, Paitlang Sumer, Bud Sumer and Plan Bhoi filed their written statements on Friday.
