Pressure groups today made a shock appearance outside the Secretariat that left the state police scrambling to react.
A conglomeration of pressure groups-Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Federation of Khasi, Jaiñtia and Garo People (FKJGP) and Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF)-under the banner of ‘Ka Sur Ki Nong Mawlai’ appeared in front of the Secretariat gate at 11 am carrying placards and shouting slogans against the government.
The group wants the suspension of the police officers involved in the raid on the residence of ex-HNLC chairman, Cherishterfield Thangkhiew on August 13, which led to his death.
At the time of the protest, the vehicle belonging to Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong was stranded outside the gate of the Secretariat and it had to take another route to get in. However, it was not known if Tynsong was inside the vehicle at the time.
Police were caught off guard with the sudden appearance of the protestors. The guards had to keep the gate locked so that the protestors could not enter the Secretariat.
“The government is yet to reply to the demands of the Sur ki Nong Mawlai”, leader of KSU Mawlai Circle, Rapborlang Nongrum said. He said the group had organised several protests to pressurise the government but its adamant attitude shows that there is something behind.
The group said that if the police officers go unpunished in this incident it will embolden others to commit similar acts in the future.
It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had said that action will be taken against those responsible for the death of Thangkhiew based on the report of the judicial inquiry which was instituted on August 18.
