Shillong, Dec 4: The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government is keeping its option open on having a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the recent brutal attack on social activist, Agnes Kharshiing and her aide, Amita Sangma, even though a decision has been taken to have an independent inquiry.

The government keeps its mind open as the families of both victims, Agnes and Amita have been pressurizing that the incident should be investigated by an independent body not less than the CBI.

While Agnes is still in hospital, Amita was discharged, and she was also present during the meeting with the chief minister.

The family members of Agnes and Amita met the chief minister at his office chamber in the main secretariat and insisted that the government should hand over the probe to the CBI and there must be logical end to such an incident.

The chief minister, Conrad K. Sangma told reporters that the government has explained to them about the recent decision to have an independent inquiry with a broad scope of investigation which would also go to the genesis of the ban on coal mining since 2014 and the roots that led to the incident.

“We also want that any inquiry should be independent in nature, and that’s why we decided to have an independent inquiry,” he said.

Stating that investigation is on, the chief minister also said that action was being taken and police are moving aggressively.

“A number of arrests have been made, and any arrest should mean picking up people fast and randomly, but police have to strike a balance in their move so that wrong people are not apprehended,” he said.

On the failure of police to nab the alleged mastermind of the brutal attack, Nidamon Chullet who is also one of the leaders of the NPP in East Jaiñtia Hills district, Conrad reiterated saying, “it does not make any difference to us, who belongs to which party or position.”

Agnes and Amita were attacked with attempts to kill them at Sohshrieh in East Jaiñtia Hills district on November 8, after they returned from Lad Rymbai where they had sought the help of police in taking action against illegal mining and transportation of coal in the district.

The chief minister said that he has assured the family members of the victims that the government has not closed the chapter of having a CBI inquiry into the incident, but the issue would be discussed among the members of the cabinet especially after the state cabinet had decided to institute an independent inquiry.

John F. Kharshiing, the brother of Agnes, said, “We want a free and fair probe, and we urged the government to hand over the investigation to the CBI.”

He also reminded the killing of RTI activist, Poipynhun Majaw in March this year in East Jaiñtia Hills district, and the mysterious death of police officer, Pearlystone Joshua Marbaniang at Patharkhmah in Ri-Bhoi district on January 24, 2015 which happened after he detained a number of coal-laden trucks that ferried coal illegally.