Shillong, August 17: The Meghalaya Peoples’ Human Rights Council (MPHRC) has welcomed the announcement made by the Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma, to constitute the Judicial Enquiry into the alleged raid and encounter conducted by the Joint Police Team of the East Jaintia Hills and East Khasi Hills Districts, that resulted in the death of the former HNLC Leader, Cheristerfield Thangkhiew, in his house at Mawlai-Kynton Massar, Shillong.
“We believe that a free, fair and impartial investigation is not only the domestic remedy available but the principle of natural justice that the government decides in its Term of Reference (TOR) for the enquiry should be clear and specific” said MPHRC Chairman Dino DG Dympep.
“We stand firm by the principle of Human Rights Jurisprudence that in such Judicial Enquiry as announced by the Government the head of the Enquiry should be a Sitting Judge of the High Court and not a Retired Judge in this instant case and for which the true value of human rights will only be perceptible from the Government since they have the only moral obligation to do so in this instant case” said MPHRC.
“We strongly reject the Suo-Motu Cognizance Notice issued by the Meghalaya State Government Funded Human Rights Commission which was served to Shri. M.S. Rao, IAS, Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, on the ground that one Member in this Commission is none other but a retired Police Chief “, said MPHRC.
“We have an apprehension that the credibility of this Commission to enquire into this particular case of human rights abuses by the state apparatus will not ensure a free, fair and impartial justice leading to the destruction of all human rights standards and principles that this Commission is supposed to do” conclude MPHRC. Said Mr. Dino DG Dympep Chairman MPHRC.
