Meghalaya chief minister, Conrad Sangma on Tuesday assured the family members of social activist, Agnes Kharshiing and her aide, Amita Sangma to examine the demand to hand over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the brutal attack at Sohshrieh in East Jaiñtia Hills district on November 8.
The Chief Minister gave this assurance during a meeting with the family members of both the victims, who demanded that the brutal attack should be investigated by the CBI.
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The State government had already decided to institute an independent inquiry into the incident.
Speaking to reporters, the Chief Minister said that since the request came from the family members, the government would examine the matter and it has not closed the chapter related to the demand for a CBI probe.
“We told the family members about the decision to have an independent inquiry with a broad scope of investigation which would also go to the genesis of the ban on coal mining since 2014. We want that any inquiry should be independent in nature, and that’s why we decided to have an independent inquiry,” he said.
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The Chief Minister said that the family members of the victims insisted that there should be a CBI inquiry into the incident, adding that “there is no commitment on that (CBI probe) but the issue will be discussed with members of the cabinet even though the state cabinet had recently decided to institute an independent inquiry.”
Stating that investigation is on into the attack of the social activists, Conrad said that a number of arrests have been made, police are moving aggressively.
Agnes and Amita were attacked at Sohshrieh in East Jaiñtia Hills district on November 8 by a group of over 30 people after they returned from Lad Rymbai where they had sought the help of police in taking action against illegal mining and transportation of coal in the district.
To a question that an alleged mastermind of the brutal attack, Nidamon Chullet is still at large and he is one of the leaders of the NPP East Jaiñtia Hills district, the Chief Minister said, “it does not make any difference to us, who belongs to which party or position. Action will be taken as per law against those who involved in the attack.”