Shillong, May 9: The Meghalaya government has appointed retired judge Justice Tinlianthang Vaiphei to head a one-member Commission of Inquiry into the violence and unrest that broke out in Garo Hills in March during the filing of nomination papers for the now-postponed Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections.
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| Justice ( Retd) T Vaiphei. (File Photo) |
An official notification issued by Chief Secretary Shakil P. Ahammed stated that the Commission will investigate the circumstances leading to the violence on March 9 in West Garo Hills district and examine whether there was any failure on the part of authorities or individuals in preventing the incident.
The inquiry panel has also been tasked with identifying the root causes of the unrest, recommending administrative and institutional reforms, and suggesting measures to prevent recurrence of similar incidents in the future.
In addition, the Commission will assess losses suffered during the violence and recommend possible relief and financial assistance for affected persons.
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The inquiry proceedings will mainly be conducted in Tura, and the Commission has been directed to submit its report within six months.
Justice T. Vaiphei is a former judge of the Gauhati High Court and had also served as Chief Justice of the Tripura High Court. He is known for handling several important judicial and administrative matters during his tenure in the higher judiciary.
The Meghalaya government constituted the Commission under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, following the violence in Garo Hills that resulted in loss of lives and property amid tensions linked to the GHADC election process.
