There is nothing unusual in the timing of the Director General of Police’s request to go on leave, which has come so soon after the controversial killing of ex-HNLC militant Cherishterfield Thangkhiew.
R Chandranathan has been under pressure since the August 13 death, with many pressure groups and the public calling for his suspension.
“There is no confusion in this. The DGP has applied for leave. He had met me and had specifically told me he had applied for leave,” Sangma said today.
A judicial inquiry has been launched into the circumstances behind Thangkhiew’s death. However, the government has been steadfast in its refusal to suspend the police officers involved.
When specifically asked about the timing of the leave application, Sangma said that if an individual desires to go on leave it could be on health grounds or for personal reasons and it is perfectly normal and proper to do so.
