Thankless job, but will do justice to all concerned, says Vaiphei

Shillong, Aug 18:  The chairman of Meghalaya Human Rights Commission, Justice (retd) T Vaiphei said on Wednesday that he will do justice to all concerned as far as the judicial inquiry into the death of former HNLC general secretary Cherishstarfield Thangkhiew is concerned.

Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Wednesday announced the name of Vaiphei to head the commission of  inquiry.

The MHRC had already issued a notice to the state government regarding the ‘human rights violation’ in the killing of Thangkhiew and sought a report from chief secretary within 15 days.

Speaking on phone, Vaiphei said,” It is a  thankless job, I have declined the offer twice as I am holding the post of chairperson of both Assam and Meghalaya Human Rights Commissions but now I have accepted it and will do justice to all concerned.”

Earlier, addressing media persons, the chief minister said the judiciary inquiry was constituted under the Commission of Inquiry Act and it will submit its report to the government once the probe is completed.

Since the inquiry has been constituted headed by the chairperson of MHRC, it is fair for the government to wait for the report and take necessary action based on the findings of the inquiry, it said.

 “So him (Vaiphei) being the chairman of the MHRC and also being the chairperson of this inquiry committee, it will be serving both the purposes from the human rights aspect and also ensuring that this judicial inquiry is given complete freedom and independence and full power to look into all aspects of this particular case,” Conrad said.

7-day deadline 

Though the ‘Voice of Mawlai People,’ an umbrella body of headmen and youths, has demanded suspension of Shillong city SP and East Jaintia Hills SP within seven days for the operations which led to the killing of Thangkhiew, the chief minister asserted that the government will have to wait for the judicial inquiry report.