State gives 3 months to complete probe

Shillong, Aug 20: The state government has given 3 months’ time to the commission of inquiry headed by justice T Vaiphei to probe the police action resulting in the death of former general secretary of HNLC Cherishstarfield Thangkhiew on August 13 at his residence in Mawlai Kynton Massar.

According to the notification issued by the government on Friday, the terms of reference include the need to hold the inquiry into the circumstances leading to the police action on August 13 resulting in the death of Thangkhiew.

Secondly, the commission has been asked to give a fact finding report as to the culpability or otherwise of the police action resulting in the death of Thangkhiew.

The third reference is any other circumstances which are relevant, in the opinion of the commission.

The notification said many complaints have been received by the state government alleging unnatural circumstances leading to the death of  Thangkhiew and the public grievances and anguish due to these complaints and allegations have caused widespread disruption of public order and have become a matter of public importance.

The notification said to address the public concern and with a view to have an independent judicial inquiry to credibly inquire into the circumstances leading to the death of Thangkhiew, the governor is of the opinion that it is necessary to appoint a Commission of Inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 (60 of 1952).

The government said that the one-man commission of inquiry headed by Vaiphei, former Chief Justice of the High Court of Tripura and Chairperson, Meghalaya Human Rights Commission,  may submit its report embodying the findings and its recommendations thereon to the state government within a period of 3 months from the date of the notification.

The notification said the commission will formulate its own procedure, and may give to all concerned such notice of inquiry and all the procedures formulated by it as it may consider necessary and proper. The venue of the inquiry will be Shillong. “Having regard to the nature of the enquiry to be made and other circumstances of the case, it is also directed that the provisions of subsections (2), (3), (4) and (5) of Section 5 of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 be made applicable to the commission, the notification said.

The commission may be assisted by such officials, experts or bodies as it may require in connection with the inquiry. All the powers provided to the commission under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 (60 of 1952) shall be available to the commission, the notification added.