The banned HNLC has expressed surprise over the Police Department’s claims concerning the audio recording, which allegedly features one of the arrested suspected HNLC members conversing with HNLC military commander Sanbor Pala.
In a statement issued today, HNLC general secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw asked, “Is the Police Department now suggesting that the late Cherishterfield Thangkhiew might still be alive? How many innocent people will fall victim to the gun barrels of the Meghalaya Police simply because they are suspected to be Sanbor Pala? Who will be next? Will they target NGO leaders simply based on suspicion of being Sanbor Pala? If they happen to capture the real Sanbor Pala, we will have no defense to deny his identity. Just look at how they wrongly arrested Tarzan Lymba on suspicion of his involvement in the IED blast.”
Referring to the judicial enquiry report by Justice (Retired) T Vaiphei in 2022, the HNLC said that police claimed and accused that Cherishterfield Thangkhiew alias Sanbor Pala, was involved in extorting money and IED blasts.
“This situation has resulted in two significant issues: a breakdown in police intelligence and deception towards the public, NGOs, and Thangkhiew’s family, that Cherishterfield Thangkhiew was Sanbor Pala and operated under that alias. The killing of Cherishterfield Thangkhiew in an alleged staged encounter is believed to be a politically motivated conspiracy involving certain ministers within the MDA government,” the HNLC said.
