HONG KONG: The wife of the Nepalese man who was shot dead by police last month yesterday demanded an independent commission of inquiry in addition to a Coroner's inquest to look into the death of her husband.

Rai Sony arrived in Hong Kong last week to learn the facts concerning the death of her husband Dil Bahadur Limbu. Limbu died after he was shot by a police officer March 17. Police say the officer, injured during a confrontation with the man, had given warning to his assailant in Cantonese. Then after he was unable to subdue the other man, the officer fired two shots from his weapon.

Rai Sony made her first public appearance yesterday, as she lodged a complaint with police before stating her demands to the media.

She said she is not confident speaking English, and thus expressed her views through her lawyer Michael Vidler.

"Mrs Limbu is very upset and she is grieving at the moment," Vidler said.

Limbu, with a 5-year-old daughter, was a Hong Kong born permanent resident. The family has expressed frustration with police accounts issued on the day of the shooting alleging that Limbu was an illegal immigrant. In subsequent days came further reports that the Limbu had a criminal record and suffered from mental illness.

"Adding to their anguish were statements by police to the media immediately following the incident which appear intent on misleading the public about Limbu's character," Vidler said.

He added that the Coroner's inquest inquires mainly into the facts surrounding a death. An independent commission of inquiry would have a broader scope, and could examine recruitment of ethnic minority residents as police officers, and the training policemen receive to deal with ethnic minority groups.

"It is difficult for the family to understand in the first instance why it is police who are investigating this matter as opposed to an independent body," Vidler said.

The wife, staying in Hong Kong on a three-month visa, is supported by the Hong Kong Nepalese Federation. She hopes the visa can be extended because she wants to await the result of the Coroner's inquest.

The woman declined comment on whether she was aware her husband was living on a hillside and was suffering from mental illness.

When asked to comment further, she replied only, "No speaking English."

The brother of the deceased, Ram Limbu, arrived in Hong Kong a few weeks ago.

He returns to Nepal tonight and will spend two weeks visiting his parents before returning to Hong Kong.

After a further two weeks in Hong Kong, he will return to the UK where he serves as a soldier.

(HK Edition 04/08/2009 page1)