A young man arrested from Meghalaya's South Garo Hills district for allegedly supplying explosives to the militant Garo National Liberation Army died early today in a police lockup.
"An overground worker of the GNLA, Witson M Sangma, died in the lock up of the Chokpot Police Station early today. He was arrested yesterday for aiding the outfit in procuring IED-making items," Inspector General of Police (Operations) G H P Raju told PTI.
He said that Sangma suffered from hypertension and was sent for a medical check up as per procedures.
A doctor was summoned when Sangma fell ill, but he died, Raju said.
An Additional Magistrate, T G Momin, was deputed to the police station for the inquest, District Deputy Commissioner C P Gotmare said.
People gheraoed the police station and tried to prevent the body from being taken for a post-mortem examination.
Official sources said GNLA chief, Sohan D Shira, threatened the doctor in the Chokpot health centre who examined Sangma and accused him of siding with the police.
Earlier, on May 21, a 20 year-old man Balsan Marak also died in judicial custody. He was arrested with four others on May 13 for confining 12 young women and torturing them earlier this month.
