Relatives of Langpih firing victims. File picture

Shillong, Nov. 24: The next of kin of the four persons who were killed in the indiscriminate firing by Assam police personnel at Langpih on May 14, 2010, would have to wait longer for justice to prevail.

The Meghalaya government has been informed by the Tarun Gogoi dispensation that the finalisation of the action taken report on the findings of the Justice (Rtd.) P.C. Phukan Commission of inquiry on the Langpih incident is still “under process and active consideration”.

This was informed by chief minister Mukul Sangma on the second day of the winter session of the state Assembly today.

In a written reply to a call attention motion tabled by HSPDP legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, Sangma stated that the Assam government said the report of the Justice (Rtd.) Phukan Commission into the police-firing incident at Langpih on May 14, 2010 has been accepted.

“However, the same (report) is yet to be placed in the Assam Legislative Assembly as the finalisation of the action taken report is under process and under active consideration of the Assam government,” Sangma said.

The Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 states that “The appropriate government shall cause to be laid before each house of Parliament or, as the case may be, the legislature of the state, the report, if any, of the Commission on the inquiry made by the Commission under sub-section (1) together with a memorandum of the action taken thereon within a period of six months of the submission of the report by the Commission to the appropriate government.”

The Justice (Rtd.) Phukan Commission of Inquiry was notified by the Assam government on September 2, 2010, to inquire into the circumstances leading to the killing of four persons on May 14, 2010, in Langpih (called Lampi in Assam) in the West Khasi Hills – Kamrup (rural) sector of the inter-state boundary.

The commission had submitted its report to the Assam government on March 31, 2012.

On November 18, the next of kin of the four men who were shot dead by Assam police received a compensation package of Rs 2 lakh each from the Assam government following an order from Meghalaya High Court.

Earlier, the next of kin of the victims had received ex gratia of Rs 3 lakh each from the Meghalaya and Assam governments.

However, the errant Assam police personnel, belonging to the fourth battalion, are yet to be punished for their action. Dennis Nongsiej, Ekros Rani, Charles Lyngkhoi and Columbus Hoojon were the four persons who died in the indiscriminate police firing at Langpih by Assam police.

“Money is insignificant as justice in its entirety was yet to be given to us. We want the Assam police personnel who were responsible for the deaths of our dear ones to be punished according to the law,” Sinora Rynniaw, daughter of Charles Lyngkhoi, had said after receiving the compensation on November 18.

Sangma also stated in the house that the Assam government said it was taking necessary action for providing financial assistance to eight injured persons at the rate paid by the Meghalaya government according to the recommendation of the commission of inquiry.