SHILLONG:
The one man commission of inquiry investigating the Mukroh firing incident has asked Assam director general of police to appear before it on April 28.
The case had been fixed for the evidence of DGP, Meghalaya on April 14 by giving an opportunity to DGP, Assam to cross examine the witnesses being examined on that day.
In its order of April 10, the commission headed by Justice T Vaiphei said that DGP, Assam had sought three weeks’ time to prepare for the case.
Speaking to The Meghalayan on April 12, Justice Vaiphei said that the application was filed by DGP Assam seeking three weeks’ time to prepare for the case. Apparently, they sought time in view of Bihu celebrations in Assam.
“However, I have given them 15 days’ time only, which means the next date is the 28th of this month,” he said.
The April 10 order stated that though adjournment cannot be encouraged in a time bound proceeding like an inquiry commission, however, for the ends of justice, the case is adjourned to April 28 to enable the DGP Assam to cross examine the witnesses produced by the DGP Meghalaya.
The order stated, “No further adjournment will be granted hereafter. Let the case come up again on April 28, which may be continued the next day for examination of the leftover witnesses of the day, if any.”
It may be mentioned that five residents of Mukroh besides an Assam forest guard were killed when Assam police opened fire on a mob at the village in West Jaintia Hills last year on November 22.
Both the states of Meghalaya and Assam claim ownership over Mukroh even though the place is not part of the area of difference.
It may also be mentioned that Mukroh headman Hamboi Sumer claimed to have documents and maps showing that the area is under Meghalaya and that the residents have been complaining of harassment by Assam police personnel.