AAMSU seeks CBI probe into labourers death

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

DHUBRI, April 12: The All Assam Minority Students Union (AAMSU)'s  Dhubri district committee has demanded a CBI probe into the death of  14 labourers at Latumbai in Meghalaya.

The AAMSU has claimed foul play in the deaths and went on to contest that all the 14 who died that day bore signs of physical torture. Further, the AAMSU demanded a CBI enquiry into the 'pre-planned' murders while also demanding Rs 10 lakh each for the kin of those 'killed' as compensation.

Addressing a press conference here today, AAMSU's Dhubri district committee president Abu Ha said that if the Government does not hand over the case to CBI , the organization will launch massive democratic protest in the State.

The labourers apparently died on Sunday last and their bodies discovered the next day in Saipung village in East Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya.

The AAMSU has asked for the strictest punishment to those who were behind the planned 'murders', following the findings of the CBI.

"We also want an assurance from the Assam Government that the lives of those working in Meghalaya will be protected following a consultation with Meghalaya", said the AAMSU president.

Meanwhile , Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Satuday wrote a letter to his Meghalaya counterpart Mukul Sangma urging him to hand over the case of the death of 14 labourers in the neighbouring state to the CBI.

The Chief Minister also announced a cash assistance of Rs one lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and expressed his deep condolences to the bereaved families, an official of the Chief Minister's office said.

The Meghalaya police had ruled out any foul play in the deaths though several organizations including AAMSU in the State had demanded inquiry into the matter.

The Chief Minister had earlier directed Additiol Chief Secretary Shyam Lal Mewara to enquire into the circumstances leading to the death of the labourers with cooperation from Meghalaya Government, an official release said here. The construction workers, hailing from Dhubri in Assam, were suspected to have consumed a poisonous wild fruit 'soh khuiatur' in Saipung village of East Jaintia Hills district on Monday last and died of food poisoning.