Five pressure groups from Garo Hills, family and clans have sought a magisterial probe into the death of a Civil Engineering student from Tura, Diana Dimre Ch Marak.
Marak, a 24-year old student of Shillong Polytechnic was found dead inside the institute’s girls’ hostel on May 6, 2024. She was found hanging by her neck from the window grill, police had said.
Today, the pressure groups comprising of the FKJGP, GSU, ADE, AYWO and FAF met with East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, Rosetta M Kurbah with a demand to constitute a magisterial inquiry into a death since police have not been able to provide adequate information to the family, which has left them agitated.
A family member, AC Marak told reporters that the post mortem report specified the cause of death as asphyxiation but authorities failed to provide details on the pathological report.
The relative felt that the police have shown lack of interest to carry out the inquiry even as two months have passed. He said even the Investigating Officer (IO) makes an excuse that the reason for the delay was due was since students and faculties have gone home for holidays.
“We have stated in our complaint that there has been a foul play, so the police should have acted quickly but till date they are delaying the inquiry. The cause of death should be ascertained and since May 6, magisterial inquiry should have already been carried out but they failed to do so,” said AC Marak.
FKJGP, Garo Hills Zone president Pritam Arengh said that the family members and clan approached them to take up the matter. “The family doubts that the student died by suicide since they found bruises and marks on her body. Even the post mortem report was denied to the family members for over two weeks,” he said.
He said all the pressure groups felt it is their responsibility to help the family in getting a closure.
Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police Sylvester Nongtnger said police have been prompt in their inquiry. However, he refused to comment if the student died by suicide or any foul play involved.
