Shillong, Dec 19: The Meghalaya High Court has assured to take action if there is any laxity on the part of the police in investigating the case related to the brutal attack on social activist, Agnes Kharshiing and her aide, Amita Sangma.

Agnes and Amita were attacked at Sohshrieh in East Jaiñtia Hills district on November 8, after taking the pictures of coal-laden trucks in the district.

In an order passed after hearing the petition here on Wednesday filed by Amita, Chief Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir said, “…at this stage, no reason to believe that the investigation will not be conducted in a fair and impartial manner since the Court is monitoring the investigation. At any point of time if noticed that there is any laxity shown by the investigation officer in the investigation of the case, the same will be seriously taken note of.”

During the hearing, the counsel for the petitioners has filed an affidavit expressing apprehension that there is some nexus between the accused and some influential persons which is hampering the investigation.

However an affidavit was also filed by the investigating officer (IO), who was also present in the Court along with the case diary.

The Advocate General (AG) informed that all efforts are being made for arresting the alleged accused persons but they being on run have forced the IO to have recourse to obtain warrant of arrest so as to pave way for having recourse to Sections 82 and 83 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The AG also assures that the investigation in fair and impartial manner will be concluded with reasonable dispatch while the IO also assured that he will conduct the investigation to the best of his ability.

Meanwhile, the Court has also directed the IO to file the latest status of investigation and to remain present along with the case diary on the next hearing to be held after the ensuing vacations.

Police have so far arrested only six persons involved in the murderous attack on Agnes and Amita.

Amita had identified one Nidamon Chullet, who is holding the post of a working president of the NPP in East Jaintia Hills, as the main mastermind behind the attack and have demanded for his immediate arrest.

Earlier, the family members of the two activists have also expressed concern over the state government’s adamant attitude to hand over the case relating to the brutal attack on the two women to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The state government has decided to institute an independent inquiry into the incident.