PUTRAJAYA (June 5, 2013): The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) today announced the formation of a task force to investigate two of the three most recent deaths in police lock-ups.

EAIC chief executive officer Nor Afizah Hanum Mokhtar said the commission agreed to form the five to seven-member task force on May 28 and would only investigate the deaths of N Dharmendran and R Jamesh Ramesh who died on May 21 and May 26 respectively.

"We are not investigating the third death (P Karuna Nithi) as he died on June 2 and the task force was agreed upon on May 28.

"The task force will comprise trained investigators, those familiar with the law as well as other experts and will hold its first meeting on June 11," she told a press conference today.

The commission formed the task force under Section 28 of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Act 2009.

Nor Afizah said the task force, to be headed by EAIC chairman Datuk Heliliah Mohd Yusof, will also invite experts from various fields to assist should the need arise.

On whether the outcome of the task force's investigation will be made known, Nor Afizah said it will definitely be released to the public.

"Contrary to popular belief, the EAIC is an independent body and is able to do what is most beneficial in the interest of everyone.

"The Attorney-General's Chambers decision to charge the police personnel involved in Dharmendran's case, and even the special committee formed by the police to curb lock-up deaths, does not and will not have any effect on our investigation.

"There will be no overlap, and we will not be in contravention with any other investigation. We work in tandem to compliment the system we have," she said.

The former Sessions Court judge also assured that the investigation would be thorough and complete.

"Our investigation will look into everything we can look at and will leave no stone unturned.

"It will be as comprehensive as it can be," she said.

The EAIC was set up in 2011 to monitor various enforcement agencies including the police force, but has been under fire recently following a spike in police lock-up deaths -- a total of eight detainees over the past five months.

Civil society groups and politicians have been pushing for the set up of an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission, claiming the EAIC lacked effectiveness and independence.

Sumber :  The Sun Daily