Meghalaya government ordered judicial probe into Cheristerfield Thangkhiew's killing

A REPORTER

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya government on Monday ordered a judicial probe into the circumstances leading to the killing of ex-Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) general secretary, Cheristerfield Thangkhiew on August 13.

Thangkhiew was killed in a retaliatory firing when police had gone to arrest him in the wee hours.

"The cabinet has decided to constitute a judicial inquiry under the Commission of Inquiry Act, to look into the events that took place on the morning hours of August 13, 2021," Chief Minister Conrad Sangma informed after the cabinet meeting. Sangma also said that on Sunday he spoke twiceto Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the current situation in the State and also sought for additional companies of paramilitary forces.

"We have requested the Government of India to give us five companies and accordingly, three from the CRPF and two from the BSF have been requisitioned for us," the Chief Minister said. Out of these, two companies of the CRPF have already arrived in the State to control the law-and-order situation.

Meanwhile, the government has also agreed and decided to set up a peace committee, which will be chaired by the Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and Cabinet Ministers Hamletson Dohling and Renikton Tongkhar Lyngdoh as members of the committee. The committee will co-opt other members from the civil society, including religious organizations and other stakeholders.

At the same time, keeping in mind the overall situation that is still prevailing in Shillong city, the cabinet decided that the curfew would be extended till 5 am on Wednesday. The ban on mobile internet data services has also been extended for the next 24 hours. On Sunday, the State Government had suspended mobile internet services for 48 hours.

The cabinet has 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. This committee will look into the different aspects of law and order.

Also Read: Former GS of HNLC Cheristerfield Thangkhiew killed in Meghalaya encounter

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