Inquiry panel asks for statements on Meghalaya jailbreak 

Shillong, Sep 9 : The Commission of Inquiry probing into the high-profile Shillong jailbreak case in Meghalaya has started its investigation, seeking statements from government officials, NGOs and the public. 

Justice (retd) D Biswas of the Gauhati High Court will head the Commission of Inquiry. The Cabinet had given 120 days time to the Commission to complete its probe. 

Chief Minister DD Lapang on June 23 recommended a judicial probe following the Opposition Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and 14 social organisations under the banner of Steering Committee Against Murder of Democracy (SCAMOD) asked the government to come clean on the issue. 

''The written statement of facts shall preferably be supported by an affidavit in proper form duly verified in which case it shall be read as evidence by person filing the affidavit,'' Secretary of Commission C Dkhar said. 

He, however, said that there will be no bar to file such statement without affidavit, but the person filing such statement will have to give an oral evidence in support of the facts stated by him. 

Justice Biswas would hold its first sitting on October 5. 

Earlier, the government had instituted a magisterial inquiry, departmental inquiry, besides an administrative enquiry headed by Principal Secretary in-charge Home (Police) PBO Warjri had examined all the circumstances that led to the escape of the seven UTPs. 

The administrative enquiry, which was submitted to the government, had accused state Director General of Police Anil K Pradhan for influencing his subordinates to drop all the charges against the Congress leader after his arrest on charges of aiding and abetting the jailbreak. 

However, the Cabinet found that the administrative enquiry was ''inconclusive'' and entrusted justice Biswas to probe into all aspects related to the jailbreak. 

The terms of reference of the probe is to ascertain the circumstances leading to the jailbreak, death of jailbreak ringleader Fullmoon Dhar and events leading to the arrest and release of Congress politician Thomas Nongtdu. 

The post jailbreak case witnessed protest from SCAMOD demanding the removal of Mr Pradhan from the post of DGP after being indicted by the administrative enquiry. In the wake of the protest, Mr Pradhan commuted leave on medical grounds for 60 days from August 3 to October 2. 

Earlier, the government had suspended 11 jail officials, including the jail superintendent for dereliction of duty, while nine jail wardens were arrested for their alleged aiding and abetting in the jailbreak.