Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui has resigned from the post following the controversial police killing of former HNLC general secretary Cherishterfield Thangkhiew at his residence on August 13.
In his resignation letter sent to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma yesterday, Rymbui said he wanted to facilitate a free and fair inquiry into the death of Thangkhiew.
“I would like to request you to relieve the Home (Police) Department from me with immediate effect. This will facilitate a free and fair inquiry taken by the government to bring out the truth about the incident. I propose a judicial inquiry be conducted,” Rymbui said.
Rymbui also said that he decided to quit as Home Minister “after due consultation” with the leadership of his party, the UDP.
However, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has not accepted Rymbui’s resignation but told reporters today that the matter will be examined.
The killing of Thangkhiew has sparked violence against police including stone pelting and arson on police vehicles in various parts of Shillong.
Thangkhiew, who had surrendered in 2018, was shot dead on August 13 during a police raid on his home in connection with two cases of IED blasts in Khliehriat and Laitumkhrah.
While the motive of the killing was unknown, police alleged that Thangkhiew was the mastermind of the blasts.
However, the majority of people in the State including political leaders, pressure groups said the killing was unacceptable and that Thangkhiew should have been arrested if he had any role in the blasts.
