Pressure groups comprising KSU, FKJGP, HNYF and RBYF today staged a sit-in demonstration demanding suspension of erring cops involved in the killing of ex-militant leader, Cherishterfield Thangkhiew.
The protest was held under the banner of the group, ‘Ka Sur ki Nong Mawlai’ at the Civil Hospital junction.
The KSU, FKJGP, HNYF, Seng Samla Mawlai Pyllun, HYC Mawlai Circle, HANM, MPGF, MIPF, UHM, HUAM and TULBA, had under the group, organised several protests for the past one month until fissures appeared yesterday when eight other groups said they are not part of the sit-in demonstration.
The eight groups not part of the protest today were the Seng Samla Mawlai Pyllun, HYC Mawlai Circle, HANM, MPGF, MIPF, UHM, HUAM and TULBA.
Meanwhile, KSU Mawlai circle president, u Rapborlang Nongrum maintained that they will stick by the ‘Sur Ki Nong Mawlai and not the ‘Sur Ka Bri U Hynñiewtrep.’
“We still need a lot of support and we will stick by the group and today we did not come as leader of any pressure groups, but as the Ka Sur Ki Nong Mawlai,” he said.
At the protest, Dundee Cliff Khongsit of the FKJGP said that the group will give the government a few days to respond to their demands, failing which they will intensify their agitation.
“We cannot allow such brutality in a democracy and if the government gives the order to kill those who have come and surrendered then what will be the future of our youths?” he said, adding that even the dreaded terrorist Ajmal Kasab was captured alive and only hanged after a trial years later.
Leader of the HNYF, Sadon Blah, said even the people convicted in the assassination of the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi are still in jail but Thangkhiew was killed on mere suspicion that he was involved in an HNLC improvised explosive device blast.
“The only truth is that this MDA government has many things to hide and that’s the reason they cannot suspend the cops involved in the illicit act,” he stated.
President of the Khasi Students Union, Lambokstar Marngar, said judgment with a bullet in a democracy will never be tolerated and that such an attitude is only adding fuel to the fire and forcing youths to take up arms.
Meanwhile, Rapborlang Nongrum of Mawlai said that such the brutal killing of Thangkhiew in front of his children is unthinkable.
“The police took the law into their own hands and our MLAs who are silent on this issue are condemnable. They have no self-respect by ignoring the plight of the Khasi people,” he said.
PS Lyngdoh, of South West Khasi Hills, said that Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui is a mere slave of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and has failed to take charge of his post.
Laitphar Singkrem, of Jaiñtia Hills, demanded the government not to further delay suspending the police, which could result in further unrest.
