Jailbreak & its aftermath: Panel blames it on DGP

SHILLONG, July 16: The administrative inquiry report on the Shillong Jailbreak and its aftermath has blamed it on Meghalaya DGP Anil Pradhan for ‘lack of knowledge’ about dropping of charges against JHADC-nominated MDC Thomas Nongtdu, an accused of funding the jailbreak. The inquiry report was made public today by Chief Minister DD Lapang through the Steering Committee Against Murder of Democracy (SCAMoD) which demanded the probe. This is the third inquiry report after the magisterial and departmental probe into the May 31 jailbreak.

The administrative inquiry conducted by Principal Secretary of Home PBO Warjri and Chief Secretary Ranjan Chatterjee stated, "The DGP’s self-professed lack of knowledge of the decision taken (release of Nongtdu) and of facts does not reflect on the functioning of the State police. The DGP should have been aware of how the case was closed."

The report also said that in a meeting DGP Anil Pradhan had directed East Khasi Hills SP LB Rapthap and DSP (Crime) Vivek Syiem to drop all charges against Nongtdu and also directed the SP to show him the draft of discharge petition before it was submitted to the court. However, according to his statement before the inquiry official, the DGP said that he had nothing to do with the decision on releasing Nongtdu, but the bail was granted.

Nongtdu was released unconditionally on June 5 after he was arrested on June 3. According to the report, the decision of arrest was also taken at the level of the DGP.

Pulling the DGP indirectly, the report said the case does not reflect a well-planned and professional approach. "There seems to have been panic reactions to specific situations," the report said. The report said, pressure from NGOs and media exposure prompted the police to arrest Nongtdu in a haste. However, the report said that police should not have succumbed to the pressure of any kind.

The inquiry also blamed the SP for allowing the media to meet and take photograph of Tiplang Kharkongor, the girl friend of slain ringleader of Shillong jailbreak Full Moon Dhar on June 3 evening.

According to Warjri, the inquiry also revealed the lack of involvement at some levels. DIG (Eastern Range) DK Rapthap did not seem to be aware of the developments of the case except when he had gone to Jaintia Hills along with the IGP (Law and Order) BL Buam to over see the operations to recapture the escaped under trial prisoners. Later he (DIG Eastern Range) clearly appeared to have distanced himself from the case, without apparent effort to keep abreast of the developments, though he was the DIG of the range.

The administrative inquiry comprises of two terms of reference that include inquiry into the facts and circumstances leading to the release of Nongtdu and dropping of all charges and to inquire into the alleged politician-criminal linkage in the case. However, on the linkages, the report said, "Efforts were made to inquire into the politician-criminal nexus, but it became clear that in a time-bound inquiry of this kind, it is difficult to determine with any certainty any nexus between politicians and criminals".

Altogether 16 police officials related to the case were examined and statements noted in the inquiry. SOURCE: THE SENTINEL