Meghalaya govt orders judicial probe into former HNLC leader’s encounter

The Meghalaya Government on Monday ordered a judicial inquiry into the death of former Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) General Secretary Cheristerfield Thangkhiew, who was killed in an encounter with police on August 13.

Speaking to mediapersons following a meeting with Cabinet ministers and top officials, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that based on the aspects of the series of events that has unfolded including the death of Cheristerfield Thangkhiew and the recent bomb blast in Laitumkhra market, the State government has decided to conduct a judicial inquiry.

Once the report of the inquiry is submitted to the government appropriate actions will be taken, the Chief Minister added.

Sangma further said that the government has decided to form a peace committee which will be headed by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong. The members of peace committee will include cabinet ministers along with heads of religious leaders, community leaders and civil society organisations.

The Cabinet also decided to constitute a sub-committee for security and law and order, which will be headed by the Chief Minister. Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister will also be members of the sub-committee.

In the Cabinet meeting, the government has also decided to extend the ongoing curfew in Shillong Agglomeration of East Khasi Hills district by another 24 hours citing law and order situation.

Stray incidents of violence are coming to fore from Shillong following the encounter of former HNLC leader Cheristerfield Thangkiew. While a police vehicle came under attack in Jaiaw last night, unidentified miscreants lobbed petrol bombs at the Chief Minister’s residence on Sunday night.

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By Pritam Ranjan Deka