SHILLONG, Aug 16: The Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) has called for an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the killing of former HNLC leader, Cheristerfield Thangkhiew.
“While the RRAG welcomes the resignation of Home Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui, given the nature of the encounter, only an investigation by the CBI can find out the truth,” stated Suhas Chakma, director of the RRAG.
Chakma further stated: “The standard procedure for thorough, effective and independent investigation on police encounter deaths laid down by the Supreme Court on September 23, 2014 including the police officer(s) concerned surrendering weapons for forensic and ballistic analysis, including any other material, as required by the investigating team must be followed.” Meghalaya is ranked 7th in the country on police encounter deaths during 2014-2015 to 2018-2019 when 1,073 persons were killed. As per the NHRC data, the highest number of encounter deaths during this period took place in Chhattisgarh (248 death), followed by Assam (191 deaths), Uttar Pradesh (124 deaths), Jharkhand (75), Andhra Pradesh (71 deaths), Odisha (69 deaths), Meghalaya (56 deaths), Maharashtra (44 deaths), Haryana (28 deaths) and Madhya Pradesh (21 deaths).
“That Meghalaya, a state with a population of 30 lakh as per 2011 census, ranked 7th in the country on police encounter deaths during 2014-2015 to 2018-2019, is a matter of grave concern and exposes the trigger happy nature of the state police,” Chakma stated.
