One day after residents of Mawlai organised a unique ‘knife surrender’ rally, residents of Malki today held a rally of their own and a candlelight vigil to demand justice for ex-militant Cherishstarfield Thangkhiew, who was killed by police during a raid on his home on August 13.
Speaking at the rally, Granarystarfield Thangkhiew, brother of the former HNLC militant, said that the family was afraid that they would be alone in fighting for justice for Cherish.
“But, in fact, support has poured in from all over the Khasi-Jaintia Hills,” he said.
Thangkhiew questioned why, if the government was so sure that his brother had been involved in the HNLC bomb blast in the city last month, did the police not arrest Cherish instead of shooting him dead.
“If he was really involved in the bomb blasts, as claimed by the government, why did it not arrest him? In this way you could have got more information from him,” the younger brother former HNLC general secretary said.
Later, members of the ‘Sur Ehrngiew Ki Nong Malki’ held a candlelight vigil at Malki taxi stand.
Meanwhile, member of the ‘Sur Ki Nong Mawlai’, Donboklang Kharlyngdoh, expressed his disappointment over the stance of cabinet minister and Mawkyrwat MLA, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, who declined to sign a letter support the organisation’s demand that the police officers involved in the raid be suspended.
“Here we can see the true colour of our MLAs. Whether he keeps the indigenous people in the forefront or, rather, his chair,” Kharlyngdoh said.
Sur Ki Nong Mawlai has sent letters to all 35 MLAs from Khasi-Jaintia Hills asking for support in its call for the suspension of the police officers concerned.
