TURA, May 23: All schools and colleges in Garo hills today remained nclosed as a mark of protest against the custodial death of Balsan S. Marak.
Marak was arrested with two others on May 13 based on an FIR by a victim of torture, who were held captive for eight days by activists led by Jaynie Ningring Sangma, in the outskirt of Tura town. Marak and three others arrested on charges of abetment and criminal intimidation were on a 14 day judicial remand.
The total closure of educational institution was called by conglomeration of NGOs, headed by Garo Students Union. The NGOs have also called for a public rally on May 27 at Chandmari playground here to condemn the custodial death of Marak and to pressurize the government for a judicial probe.
Out of the five men arrested for abetment and criminal investigation, three will be produced in the court on Monday. The case of the minor is being dealt separately under Juvenile Act. Marak died at a government hospital recently.
A magisterial probe, including a high level probe headed by commissioner of division (Garo hills), P W Ingty is on. A conglomeration of NGOs, headed by Garo Student Union is seeking a judicial probe into the custodial death of Balsan S. Marak.
Meghalaya chief minister, Mukul Sangma has ruled out judicial probe. He has responded to the demand saying that government will wait for the probe already ordered into the custodial death.
The bail plea of the five ‘activists’ arrested in connection with the confinement, torture and criminal intimidation have been rejected by the magistrate court here.
The activists will be produced in the court on June 3. They are — Jaynie Ningring Sangma (37), Babiana M. Sangma (42), Merryln D. Shira (52), Konica S. Sangma (37), and Lonavi R. Sangma (34).
The bail petitions of the activists were rejected on two occasions – May 11 and May 19. The court extended their judicial remand to another 14 days. West Garo Hills SP, Mukesh Singh refused to comment on the chargesheet against the activists, as the matter is under investigation.
The District Medical and Health Officer has submitted the port-mortem report to the deputy commissioner, Pravin Bakshi will is yet to be disclosed. “The report will be submitted before the enquiry”, said Bakshi. It is given to understand that report will be studied in detail by Ingty.(SP News)
