Shillong/Guwahati Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has asked his Assam counterpart to investigate the suspicious death of a man at a rehabilitation center in Goalpara district of the neighboring state.
Niksamseng Ch Marak, arrested by the Assam Police on July 2, was discovered dead two days later under mysterious circumstances at the New Life Foundation Centre.
The Assam Police quickly launched action following the incident, arresting eight people so far in connection with the case.
In his letter to Himanta Biswa Sarma, Sangma expressed deep concern over the conflicting reports on the incident.
"I am writing to bring to your attention a disturbing incident that requires investigation and immediate action. As reported by his family, authorities at the facility initially claimed it was a suicide, but later changed their statement, raising serious concerns about the turn of events." Sangma said.
"I have been informed that the body bore severe injury marks, including deep knife cuts on the left side of the face, burns and severe injury marks on the chin, hips and legs. These injuries prima facie suggest that Niksamseng was subjected to brutal torture, beatings and stabbings inside the rehabilitation center," he said.
A senior police official confirmed that the victim's family filed an FIR to seek justice.
Marak and two others were arrested by Krishnai police for alleged drug possession and subsequently admitted to the rehabilitation centre.
Goalpara SP Nabaneet Mahanta said it was initially thought to be a case of suicide.
"Although it was initially thought to be a case of suicide, thanks to the security camera footage we discovered that the deceased had been physically attacked. We immediately swung into action and arrested eight people," he said.
The SP said those arrested included the supervisor of the rehabilitation center and others. "The owner of the center has absconded and we are looking for him. Further investigations are underway," he added.
Niksamseng Ch Marak, arrested by the Assam Police on July 2, was discovered dead two days later under mysterious circumstances at the New Life Foundation Centre.
The Assam Police quickly launched action following the incident, arresting eight people so far in connection with the case.
In his letter to Himanta Biswa Sarma, Sangma expressed deep concern over the conflicting reports on the incident.
"I am writing to bring to your attention a disturbing incident that requires investigation and immediate action. As reported by his family, authorities at the facility initially claimed it was a suicide, but later changed their statement, raising serious concerns about the turn of events." Sangma said.
"I have been informed that the body bore severe injury marks, including deep knife cuts on the left side of the face, burns and severe injury marks on the chin, hips and legs. These injuries prima facie suggest that Niksamseng was subjected to brutal torture, beatings and stabbings inside the rehabilitation center," he said.
A senior police official confirmed that the victim's family filed an FIR to seek justice.
Marak and two others were arrested by Krishnai police for alleged drug possession and subsequently admitted to the rehabilitation centre.
Goalpara SP Nabaneet Mahanta said it was initially thought to be a case of suicide.
"Although it was initially thought to be a case of suicide, thanks to the security camera footage we discovered that the deceased had been physically attacked. We immediately swung into action and arrested eight people," he said.
The SP said those arrested included the supervisor of the rehabilitation center and others. "The owner of the center has absconded and we are looking for him. Further investigations are underway," he added.
