Army orders probe into 'custodial' killing

Shillong, May 7 : The Army has ordered a court of inquiry into the alleged custodial death of a pastor in North Cachar Hills district, sources in the Assam Rifles headquarters here said on Wednesday.

Assam Rifles had picked up pastor Liden Judung and two others on charges of having links with militant groups. Judung's body was later handed over to Haflong police on April 30 by the paramilitary force, who attributed the death to his health condition.

The other two men were also handed over in a critical condition.

The Assam Rifles battalion in NC Hills is under the operational command of the Army.

The NC Hills district administration has already ordered a magisterial probe into the alleged custodial death.

Police have registered a case against Assam Rifles amid a flurry of protests in the district over the incident.