Lapang table twin police firing judicial reports in Assy

Shillong, Apr 19 (UNI) Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang today tabled the report of judicial Commission of Inquiry probing the September 30, 2005, police firing at Tura and Williamnagar in the Assembly.

Nine people, including women, were killed while scores injured in twin police firings at Tura and Williamnagar over the issue of revamping and restructuring the Meghalaya Board of School Education, which has its headquarters at Tura, West Garo Hills district.

In his 121-page report on the Tura firing incident, Justice D N Chaudhuri criticised the administration and police for use of 'excess' force leading to the death of four innocent people in Tura.

However, (Retd) D N Baruah, who was probing the Willamnagar incident, said the measures taken by the administration were just and proper.

''The security personnel fired from close range. When the people were moving away from the field, the security force started firing again on them,'' Justice Chowdhury stated, adding that the magistrates and police officers had acted without any direction and the police personnel being panic stricken resorted to indiscriminate firing.

At least 75 rounds were fired in the Chandmary field at Tura, the Commission revealed stating all the injuries were caused from point blank range like 303 rifles, INSAS 5.56 mm and 9 mm carbine, the report reads.

''The forces were there to maintain law and order and protect human life and not to punish them,'' he said.

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