Rights body seeks Rs 10 lakh for Meghalaya custodial death NEWMAI NEWS GUWAHATI, Aug 29 The Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) has asked the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to direct Meghalaya Government to pay an interim compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the custodial death of 17-year-old youth Sngewlem Kharsati and start necessary criminal proceedings including the immediate arrest and prosecution of the erring police personnel.
On May 9 this year, Sngewlem, who was a native of East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, was picked up by the police for his alleged involvement in a case of extortion and beaten to death inside the lock-up of Mawryngkneng police outpost in East Khasi Hills.
Two days later, the ACHR, on receipt of a copy of the FIR submitted to the police, filed a complaint with the NHRC. The NHRC registered ACHRs complaint and instructed its director general of investigation to conduct the inquiry.
The Meghalaya Government, meanwhile, ordered a magisterial inquiry headed by an additional district magistrate. During the course of the magisterial inquiry, it was found that a number of police personnel were responsible for the death of Sngewlem. The report of the probe was later submitted to the Meghalaya Government and the NHRC.
However, before the NHRC could take any decision, on August 21, the Meghalaya Government announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of Sngewlem and ordered departmental disciplinary actions against the guilty police personnel.
Taking strong exception to such act of the Meghalaya Government, ACHR director Suhas Chakma said: This is nothing but a desperate attempt by the Meghalaya Government to pre-empt, prejudice and pre-judge the impending order of the NHRC.
While no amount of money can compensate the loss of a human life, it is essential that compensation and criminal action commensurate with the gravity of the crime, Chakma added.
