The Meghalaya government announced that a judicial commission will investigate the killing of ex-Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) militant leader Cherishterfield Thangkhiew, who was killed by police in his home in the early hours on August 13.
The killing led to several instances of violence in the state capital, including attacks on police personnel, the hurling of petrol bombs at the private home of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and the capture of a police vehicle with assault rifles. While the vehicle was later set alight in Jaiaw, near the office of Khasi Students Union, the guns have not been recovered. No damage or injury was reported from the CM’s home. Sangma himself was at his official residence in Polo at the time.
Thangkhiew’s funeral in Lawmali was attended by thousands of people. There were reports that slogans in support of the banned HNLC were shouted the funeral. The police car was driven near the deceased’s house in Mawlai before being burnt in Jaiaw. The killing of Thangkhiew by police was noted by the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission, which, on Sunday, directed Chief Secretary MS Rao to furnish a detailed report on the former militant’s death within 15 days.
A peace committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong will try and help restore normalcy. The committee will comprise representatives of civil society organisations along with cabinet ministers Hamletson Dohling and Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar. This was announced by the CM after an emergency cabinet meeting today.
Meanwhile, the government also decided on extending the curfew in Greater Shillong by another 24 hours, to 5am on August 18, while mobile internet services will also remain suspended for the next 24 hours.
“Based on the suggestion of the members, the cabinet has decided to institute a judicial inquiry under the Commission of Inquiry Act to look into the events that took place on August 13,” Sangma said. However, which judge will lead the inquiry was not announced.
Meanwhile, a sub-committee for security will be headed by Sangma, with Tynsong also a member, to look into aspects of law and order, possible future threats and the overall functioning of the Meghalaya police, the CM tweeted later.
Late in the night, a CRPF vehicle came under attack by a mob that was burning tyres on a Mawlai road. Two police vehicles were also torched in the two affected areas. However, Monday, at least until the evening, saw no untoward incidents reported from anywhere in the state capital.
In Ri Bhoi, a police check post on the national highway in Ri-Bhoi district was torched by miscreants yesterday night.
The police check post was located close to the Umling entry point.
Reports from the area said the check post was torched at around 11 pm. Nobody has been arrested in this connection.
