Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma said there was credible information that the outlawed HNLC was going to trigger another blast in the city, which led the police to act swiftly.
Speaking to reporters today after his return from New Delhi, the Chief Minister said investigations on the Khliehriat and Shillong blasts revealed that another blast attempt would be made and there are a large number of people, including the ex-HNLC general secretary, Cherishterfield Thangkhiew who are involved.
He said police found credible and tangible evidence against Thangkhiew and based on those the police had to act to ensure no other mishaps take place in the State that would endanger the lives of citizens.
Besides, the Chief Minister said, that those credible information were not only from the state’s intel but from multiple agencies. “In the process they (police) moved forward to make an arrest. It was never the intention of the police to harm any individual,” Sangma said.
The Chief Minister also pointed out that had the arrest been made, it would have been in the interest of the police department, as they would be able to get more credible information (from him), on other networks that possibly are there.
“But as you are aware that the circumstances led to the unfortunate incident,” he added.
Sangma also informed that police has submitted the report on the incident, which is as mandated by the National Human Right Commission (NHRC) within 48 hours.
The Chief Minister said that after this report is submitted there will be a magisterial inquiry even as he informed that its report will be submitted to the commission.
He also appealed to the citizens to maintain peace in Shillong City and the State as a whole.
“Whatever the police, whatever the government is doing is in the interest of the safety of the citizens of the state. And therefore once again, I appeal to everybody that we must maintain law and order and we must maintain peace in the State,” Sangma said.
