Ready to cooperate in probe, says Chief Secretary

Death of 14 Assam labourers

OUR STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, April 9: Even as political sparks started flying in Dhubri district of Assam on the mysterious death of 14 labourers in Saipung, East Jaintia Hills district, Meghalaya Chief Secretary PBO Warjri told The Sentinel on Thursday, “We are ready to cooperate with our neigbouring state, should they need our support”.

Assam Government has instituted an inquiry under the Additiol Chief Secretary SL Mewara to ascertain the cause of the death of 14 Assam labourers.

The Chief Secretary of Meghalaya and his Assam counterpart had a couple of telephonic interactions, and both dwelt on the cause of the deaths, which was categorically explained. The reason, based on the findings of the initial inquest, is consumption of a poisonous fruit that was used to make ‘chutney’.

On Assam instituting its own inquiry into the incident, Warjri said, “We will share with them the forensic findings and all the evidences that has been collected”.

“Our investigation is going on from all angles and there is nothing wrong in sharing what our neighbouring state team desires,” Warjri stated, while questioning the commul insinuations created by a section of people on the episode in Assam. The second round of findings also stated that the cause of the death is due to food poisoning and not because of any physical attack.

The State police has tasked an Inspector General of Police (IGP) A Sunn to monitor the inquiry.