"The government has decided to institute a magisterial inquiry into the encounter and a high level inquiry to ascertain the facts that led to the subsequent protests," Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said after a cabinet meeting last night
The government is also taking steps for a high level inquiry to go into the causes leading to assembly of mob against police affecting performance of duty and leading to the sequence of events, he said.
A mob fury on Thursday forced the police to release the four suspected militants arrested after the WednesdayÂ’s encounter in East Garo Hills district in which one suspected Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militant was also killed and a huge cache of arms and explosives recovered.
The protesters claimed that the deceased and the four arrested were innocent villagers.
"It is a fact that GNLA is actively involved in extortion and abductions and is trying to expand its base by recruiting cadres and developing nexus with other militant groups. The government is committed to protect its citizens," the CM noted.
"No innocent should be harassed and no let up in our action against the extremist elements can be allowed under pressure from extraneous or vested interest," he asserted.