Probe into twin firing incident in Garo Hills extended

Shillong, July 5 (UNI) Meghalaya Home Minister Robert Garnett Lyngdoh today informed the Assembly that the period for submission of the findings by both the Commissions on the twin firing incidents in Garo Hills has been extended till September 4.

Replying to call attention motion moved by Independent MLA Manas Chaudhuri on Garo Hills firing probe, caught in legal hurdles, Mr Lyngdoh made it clear that the government does not want to prolong the issue unnecessarily.

To expedite the inquiry process, he said the government felt that it would be preferable to set up two seperate commissions of inquiry, instead of having only one commission to inquire into both the incidents.

Mr Lyngdoh said the government appointed Justice (Retd) DN Chaudhury to probe into the Tura firing incident while Justice (Retd) DN Baruah would inquire into the Williamnagar firing incident.

Regarding issuing notices to government functionaries and others by the Choudhury Commission, Mr Lyngdoh termed it ''against the normal convention and prejudicial to the interest of officers in getting a fair hearing''.

The Home Minister further informed that the officers had submitted a petition to the Commission for review of its order.

However, when the Commission did not review its order, the officers filed a petition before the Gauhati High Court.

Mr Lyngdoh said that on March 10, Justice A Hazarika passed an interim order asking the Commission to proceed by recording the evidence other than the petitioners.

Following Hazarika's order, the Home Minister said the Commission had also filed a writ appeal before the Principal Seat of the Gauhati High Court on March 30 this year.

He said the government has instructed the Advocate General at Gauhati High Court to make a special mention before the High Court to expedite the issue of orders.

However, Mr Lyngdoh informed the House that the Baruah Commission inquiring into the incidents at Williamnagar is progressing satisfactorily.

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