Ri Bhoi headmen join cops’ suspension chorus

NONGPOH, Sep 12: With the growing demand for the suspension of police officials over the killing of former HNLC member Cheristerfield Thangkhiew, headmen from Ri Bhoi, under the banner of ‘Ka Durbar ki Rangbah Shnong, Ri Bhoi District’, have extended their support to the cause.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, the leaders of the conglomeration expressed concern over the situation in Shillong as well as others parts of the state which has ensued from the ‘fake encounter’ of the former HNLC member.
Reacting to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma ruling out any possibility of suspension of the police officials without proper inquiry, the headmen argued that law should be applicable to everyone, irrespective of one’s hierarchy.
“The actions of the policemen involved in the alleged raiding and killing of the former leader of the HNLC shows that there is a serious breach of humanitarian rights. Therefore, those involved should be put under suspension for a fair and impartial enquiry,” the headmen contended.
Smelling a rat over the “inaction” by the government against the police officials, they alleged that the incident might have been a pre-planned encounter, with the involvement of both police and ministers.
“As responsible and concerned leaders, we do not want repetitions of such kind of incidents in future. Therefore, we have decided to demand of the state government to immediately put on suspension those policemen involved if the ministers are not working hand in glove with the police,” they said.
They also warned of intensifying the stir across the district if the government fails to suspend the police officials within a month’s time.