Meghalaya govt. orders CBI probe, DGP transferred

Shillong, Mar 19 (UNI) The Meghalaya government today ordered a CBI inquiry and transferred state Director General of Police William Richmond Marbaniang following the alleged murder of a female domestic help in his residence, a senior official said.

The government's decision to hand over the investigation to the CBI came after the Civil Society Women's Organisation (CSWO) and several NGOs demanded an impartial probe into the mysterious death of Rinnehskhem Kharsohnoh(26), who was brutally murdered at Mr Marbaniang's residence in Upper Nongthymmai on March 7.

State Director General of Civil Defence and Home Guards Bijoy Dey Sawian would replace Mr Marbaniang, while Mr Marbaniang would take over as Director General of Civil Defence and Home Guards.

'' We are in the process of handing over the case to CBI to conduct a probe into the incident,'' state's Principal Secretary in-charge Home Affairs W M S Pariat told reporters here today.

However, Mr Pariat refused to comment further and said ''ask from the Chief Minister''.

Confirming about his transfer, State DGP William Richmond Marbaniang said he had sought his transfer to ensure an impartial inquiry into the incident.

Chief Minister D D Lapang had said that he would go through the papers regarding the matter.

'' No one is above the law, and action would be taken against those found guilty,'' Mr Lapang said.

Initially, the police had said that the deceased had committed suicide. However, autopsy reports indicate it to be a murder case.

Earlier, Shimti Kharsohnoh, the mother of the victim, had alleged that her daughter was 'brutally murdered' and 'did not commit suicide' at the DGP's residence in Upper Nongthymmai.

''It is really sad to see police claiming it to be a suicide case,'' Ms Kharsohnoh said, adding that the victim had cut and injury marks on her face and thighs.

The Meghalaya People's Human Rights Council (MPHRC) had demanded a high-level inquiry into the matter.

MPHRC president D D G Dympep had urged the police department to come out with a clear-cut investigation into this murder.

''If the police department fail to do justice , then the MPHRC would file a PIL against the department,'' he said.

UNI