The Hynñiewtrep Youth Council (HYC) has demanded a CBI probe into the killing of ex-leader of the outlawed HNLC militant group Cheristerfield Thangkhiew and prosecution of all involved in his death.
A report by Justice Vaiphei which was submitted on May 20 was made public on September 9. It criticised the way the police conducted the raid on Thangkhiew’s house in August last year. Citizens’ groups, pressure groups and politicians have sought for actual punishment of those responsible for Thangkhiew’s death.
HYC general secretary Roy Kupar Synrem in a letter to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma quoted the findings of the inquiry report and said that the findings has clearly mentioned that the Tactical Team-I, involved in the raid, is at fault. “Hence they should be investigated into, put to trial and prosecute those involved in this crime as per law of the land,” he added.
Synrem said it is shocked how the government instead of acting on the findings chose to deliberately delay the matter by calling for an explanation from the team.
He said that as per remarks made in the inquiry there might be a conspiracy to eliminate Thangkhiew, which should be investigated.
The Justice Vaiphei inquiry found that the police had acted hastily in conducting the raid in the middle of the night, saying that the operation was well-planned but executed poorly, recklessly, hastily and without proper application of mind. Justice Vaiphei also said that the police were guilty of “thoughtless and excessive use of force”. However, he stopped short of making any recommendation against the police personnel involved in the “botched operation”.
