The inquiry report into the killing of former militant Cheristerfield Thangkhiew by police in an encounter last year was submitted to the Chief Minister today.
Retired Chief Justice T Vaiphei, who led the inquiry, submitted his findings and recommendations into the police encounter-turned-killing of the ex-Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) militant, which led to days of unrest in Shillong.
Thangkhiew was gunned down in his home in Mawlai in the early hours of August 13 during a raid by a joint team of East Khasi Hills and East Jaintia Hills police. Police suspected him of still being involved in HNLC terror activity, including in the bomb attack on Laitumkhrah market a few days prior and an earlier attack on a police building in Khliehriat.
Justice Vaiphei began his inquiry in September last year. Although his report was completed last Saturday, the CM’s absence from Shillong delayed the formal submission.
Speaking to the media, he stated that there were no difficulties in carrying out the inquiry because of the cooperation of both the victim’s family and the police.
The one-man inquiry commission examined six police officials who were part of the operation, four family members and two doctors.
When asked about his recommendations, Justice Vaiphei refused to disclose the details of the report, saying that it is up to the government to accept his recommendations or not and to make the document public or not.
The government was forced to call for the inquiry in order to quell the massive levels of unrest that erupted after Thangkhiew’s death.
Family members and civil society had alleged that it was a fake encounter and demanded a probe as well as the suspension of the police officials involved. On the other hand, police claimed that Thangkhiew had attacked them with a knife, necessitating their opening fire.
Then Director General of Police R Chandranathan stated that there had been incontrovertible evidence that led the police to raid the house. However, his family members claimed that Thangkhiew had been ailing for some time and was not involved in militant activity. They also questioned whether the use of deadly force was commensurate with Thangkhiew’s claimed use of a knife. They also suggested that raiding the house in the early hours led Thangkhiew to think that his home was being burgled.
Thangkhiew had surrendered before Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong in October 2018. He was one of the most dreaded militant leaders and a founding member of the outlawed HNLC.
