Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has written to his counterpart in Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma to constitute a probe into the alleged murder of Niksamseng Ch Marak at a rehab centre in Goalpara.
Marak had died on July 4 and, initially, his death was attributed to suicide, though family members strongly denied this.
According to initial information, three youths were detained by Krishnai Police in possession of drugs on July 2. Subsequently, the three were taken to a rehab centre, New Life Foundation, in Goalpara. The three were identified as Noor Salim Ahmed, Rakesh Das and Niksamseng Marak.
News reports from Assam state that CCTV footage from inside the centre revealed that staff and inmates beat the Meghalaya youth to death with rods.
Assam police launched an investigation after receiving a formal complaint from Marak’s family, with the assistance of the Meghalaya authorities.
Thereafter, eight individuals were arrested on suspicion of the murder. Six of them have been transferred to jail. These were identified as Pranjyoti Nath, Hanif Ali, Jintu Chakraborty, Mohsen Khan, Kunal Das and Dhanmoina Banikya, according to local media reports.
The Chief Minister while seeking immediate investigation and action urged Sarma to deliver justice to the family of Marak.
“I request you to immediately investigate the incident, which is also desired by the family to bring justice. The family has lodged and FIR into the incident, your kind intervention to investigate the matter by constituting an enquiry will be highly appreciated,” Sangma said.
