Tura, May 27: A conglomeration of NGOs, led by Garo Students Union and North East Students Organisation today rejected Meghalaya chief minister, Mukul Sangma’s assurance to initiate free and fair probe into the custodial death of Balsan Marak.
They have demanded Rs. 50 lakh as compensation for the bereaved family and a request for an independent medical profession to conduct the post mortem.
They are sticking to their demand of judicial probe into Balsan’s death. “It is a delaying tactic. We will continue to press the government for a judicial probe. If government fails to gives us a convincing reply within seven days, we will step up agitation for Balsan Marak’s justice”, said GSU president, Tengsak G. Momin.
Sangma had assured NGOs yesterday by saying that his government would accord highest priority to their demands.
Balsan, an undertrial prisoner, had died in a government hospital on May 20.
Meghalaya government has constituted a high-level probe headed by commissioner of division (Garo hills), Peter J. Ingty and a magisterial probe ordered by the deputy commissioner of West Garo Hills.
The government has assured NGOs that the state government would look into the probe for the sake of “greater independence” and “credibility”, before taking into account any other enquiry.
However, the NGOs are not willing to buy government’s assurance. “We don’t have faith in the magisterial probe. It can be manipulated. We will continue to demand for a judicial probe”, said Momin.
At the public meeting held at Chandmari playground around 3:30 pm today, at least 1000 people, mostly youths attended to show their solidarity on the custodial death.
The inclement weather did not dither the spirit, as they patiently waited for about one and half hour, listening to different NGO leaders.
Questioning the version of the medical officer, B C Paul of Tura district jail, an activist of Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People, Pritam Marak said, “Balsan Marak was arrested on May 12 and not May 13 as claimed by the police. The police are trying to cover up the case and even misleading the media. We have seen severe bruise marks on his body”.
He also questioned, “If Balsan was arrested as claimed by police on May 13, why was medical examination on him done on May 14 and not May 13, why the delay?”
The NGOs have asked the public to be prepared to continue their fight for Balsan’s justice.
In the wake of Balsan’s custodial death, several NGOs are demanding psychological counselling cells at police stations.
They have also demanded that those involved in the assault, which led to the death of Balsan, be immediately suspended and terminated. They also demanded departmental action and contempt of court proceedings against those who failed to follow the directives.
They have also demanded installation of CCTVs in all the rooms in police stations with recording facility, so that police personnel cannot “callously” torture inmates or prisoners.
Balsan and two others were arrested on May 13 based on an FIR filed by a victim, who is pregnant, in an illegal confinement case.(SP News)
