Mizoram consents to CBI probe on pastor death

Aizawl, Aug 21 (UNI) The Mizoram government today issued a notification according consent to the CBI to probe the death of renowned pastor the Reverend Chanchinmawia.

The notification along with the required documents would be forwarded to Delhi on August 25, Home Commissioner C Ropianga told newsmen.

Mr Ropianga stated that the move was a follow-up to the Mizoram Cabinet's decision to hand over reinvestigation of the controversial pastor's death.

The Presbyterian pastor and president of the Mizoram Presbyterian Synod-sponsored Mizoram People's Forum was found dead under mysterious circumstances at his pastor quarters at Khatla here on October 1, 2007.

The Cabinet decision came after aspersion was cast on the Special Investigation Team (SIT)'s conclusion that the death was a case of suicide.

Opposition parties and pressure groups like People's Right to Information and Development of Mizoram (Prism) had been demanding a CBI probe into his death. Even the Presbyterian Church Synod, which agreed to accord him a pastoral funeral in the church, held that his death was not suicide.

UNI ZS SJC RL ND2007