Shillong, March 8: An incident where a person was allegedly killed during a police operation in Meghalaya's West Garo Hills has come under scrutiny, and a women's group has demanded the arrest of policemen, who were purportedly involved in the operation.

On March 4, Sengbath Ch. Marak was allegedly shot dead during an operation to flush out suspected Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militants. The incident occurred around 6am at Rimba Adinggree near Oragitok village under Rongram police outpost.

"We have been informed by Abal M. Sangma, nokma (chief) of Oragitok Rimba Adinggre, that his son Sengbath was shot dead by Mingran T. Sangma in the presence of Bitching N. Marak, circle inspector of West Garo Hills, on March 4 and other police personnel who accompanied them," Civil Society Women's Organisation (CSWO) president Agnes Kharshiing said.

Kharshiing said the police personnel had initially thrown stones at Sengbath's house, and had asked him to come out.

"When Sengbath came out, Mingran and another policeman shot at Sengbath's leg, and made him run. He was limping and ran towards the stream where they caught up and shot him again. Samson A. Sangma and Allone M. Sangma had witnessed this. Bitching N. Marak had also slapped Samson, and held him the whole day without food," Kharshiing alleged.

Moreover, she said Abal had said Sengbath was unlettered, and he could never write except scribble his name. Any ploy to insert a demand note by the police is an excuse to harass and murder his son, and implicate him wrongly, most likely because Sengbath is from the same clan as the wife of David T. Sangma, she added.

David, a schoolteacher, was among the five persons whose bodies were discovered from two separate graves on February 23 at Mrigre village under Rongram police outpost. Villagers had allegedly murdered the five persons for supposedly practising witchcraft.

"This (Sengbath's death) fake encounter seems to be a ploy with the full help from the police to suppress the witchcraft killing as David is a resident of Oragitok village, Rimba Adinggre, and his wife is also from the same clan as Sengbath," Kharshiing added.

She also demanded the immediate arrest of Bitching N. Marak, Mingran T. Sangma, and other policemen, "who masquerade as law enforcers and protectors of society".

At the same time, she urged the state government to protect the witnesses - Samson and Allone - from "police atrocities and intimidation".

Yesterday, West Garo Hills deputy commissioner Pravin Bakshi had announced a magisterial inquiry into the incident. Additional deputy commissioner Sabrella B. Marak will head the inquiry, and has to submit her report within 30 days.

"The depositions will be on camera to ensure that the statements are independent, and first-hand accounts are duly recorded and corroborated," Bakshi said.