The encounter of a frontrunner of the banned group Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), Chesterfield Thangkhiew, in a police raid on Friday (August 13), has created fairly a stir in Meghalaya. Incidents of vandalism and arson have been reported from Shillong and varied elements of the Northeastern state of India after the loss of life of the dreaded terrorist, who was suspected to be the mastermind behind a spate of IED assaults.
Meghalaya house minister resigns
Amid these spates of violence, the Meghalaya house minister Lahkmen Rymbui resigned from his submit on August 15 (Sunday).
In his letter to chief minister Conrad Sangma, Rymbui expressed shock over the continuing protests. He proposed a judicial enquiry into the loss of life of banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council common secretary, Cherish Starfield Thangkhiew, who was killed in a police encounter on August 13.
“I hereby express shock at the incident where (L) Chesterfield Thangkhiew was killed following the raid of police at his residence exceeding the lawful tenets of the law. Considering the gravity of the situation, I would request you to relieve the Home (Police) Department from me with immediate effect,” he mentioned.
According to R Chandranathan, the director-general of police, he allegedly attacked officers with a knife throughout a raid on his residence, prompting a retaliatory motion by which he was killed. The terrorist had reportedly surrendered earlier than the police in 2018.
Supporters hit the streets, resort to vandalism and arson
However, the loss of life of the terrorist has created fairly a flutter within the state. Hundreds of individuals in black garments and carrying black flags took half in Thangkhiew’s funeral procession on Sunday. Several had been seen lining up the streets in Shillong with black flags, condemning the police and the state authorities over the loss of life of Thangkhiew. Many had been additionally seen standing on the terrace of their homes holding placards. Several different supporters of Thangkhiew have taken to the streets to protest his loss of life whereas others have been indulging in violence and vandalism.
Curfew imposed in Meghalaya
The resignation of the Home Minister got here because the state imposed a 2-day curfew and snapped web companies in at the least 4 districts to include the scenario.
The curfew got here within the aftermath of an tried bomb assault on the non-public residence of Meghalaya’s Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Sunday. According to experiences, petrol bombs had been hurled at his residence. Luckily nobody was simply within the assault as the home was vacant. The Chief Minister stays at his official residence.
Besides this assault, a automobile from Assam was additionally attacked in Shillong, critically injuring the motive force. A police automobile of the Mawkynroh Police Outpost was additionally set ablaze by unidentified males in Jaiaw locality in Shillong this afternoon. Police personnel aboard the automobile, together with the officer accountable for the outpost, escaped the spot unharmed. Moreover, a number of incidents of stone-pelting had been additionally reported from varied elements of the town.
The assault on the CM private residence and different incidents of arson and vandalism compelled the state administration to impose a 2-day curfew and snap the web companies to achieve management of the scenario.
The curfew within the Shillong Agglomeration space of the state capital was imposed from 8 pm on Sunday until 5 am on August 17. Internet companies had been suspended from 6 pm on Sunday for 48 hours within the districts of East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hillis and Ri-Bhoi. “No kind of gathering, public meeting or rally may be held. Exemptions only for medical emergencies, Covid-19 and hospital duty are applicable,” deputy commissioner Kumari Isawanda Laloo mentioned.
“Additional companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been requisitioned to ensure compliance to the ‘total curfew’ order,” a prime official within the secretariat accustomed to the event mentioned.
Meanwhile, a prime officer of Assam police had urged the folks from the state to not journey to Shillong until curfew continues. “Curfew has been imposed in Shillong due to Law & Order issues. People from Assam are advised not to travel to Shillong till curfew continues,” mentioned GP Singh, particular DGP, Assam Police, in a tweet.
Terming the killing of former Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) chief Cherishterfield Thangkhiew in an encounter at his home as “unfortunate”, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma Saturday mentioned that the raiding police get together had no intention to kill the previous chief of the militant organisation, however solely to arrest him. Sangma mentioned the police had credible data of one other blast being deliberate at a sure location in Shillong, In order to cease it, he mentioned the police needed to act swiftly.
Terrorist outfit in Meghalaya vows vengeancece
Meanwhile, the fear outfit has vowed to avenge the killing of their former chief. Thangkhiew’s brother Granary Starfield Thangkhiew mentioned all of it occurred impulsively. “It is amply clear that they (police) came with the intention to kill and nothing else. Found a gun, no way, no way. It is clear by this action they came with one and only one mission, to kill my dear brother.”
“They could have come in the daytime like any other normal person or even summoned him to the police station; why early at 3 am when the whole world is fast asleep? They (police) just wanted to show strength like cowards, shame on them,” he continued.
HNLC common secretary cum spokesperson, Saińkupar Nongtraw alleged that the whole operation in opposition to Thangkhiew couldn’t have been carried out with out approval from a senior minister within the Meghalaya authorities. “Without his permission, this wouldn’t have happened to a person. We will see how long he remains in that chair,” the insurgent chief threatened.