SHILLONG, Oct 10: The Sur Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep (SKBUH) on Monday urged the state government to immediately hand over the investigation into the death of former HNLC leader, Cheristerfield Thangkhiew to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Apart from Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, the SKBUH submitted a memorandum in this regard to each of the 36 MLAs from the Khasi-Jaintia Hills.
SKBUH member Thomas Passah told reporters that the government should hand over the investigation of the case to the CBI.
“Let the CBI file a charge sheet before the court. The state government should not act as a judiciary by declining to hand over the case to the CBI. Let the court adjudicate this case to ensure justice for the family of the late Thangkhiew,” he said.
Passah said the SKBUH mentioned in the memorandum that the people want the state government to take action against Tactical Team 1 for using excessive force, which led to the death of Thangkhiew, as revealed in the report of the one-man inquiry commission headed by the retired Justice T. Vaiphei.
He said the Chief Minister had earlier stated that they cannot suspend the top police officials who had led the operation until the Vaiphei panel submits its report.
“But no action has been taken even after the submission of the report,” Passah said.
He said the SKBUH will not let the government remain silent. Action needs to be taken against the cops responsible for Thangkhiew’s death, he added. The Vaiphei commission had found the Tactical Team 1 of the police responsible for the death of the former HNLC leader.
“…the Tactical Team-1 in carrying out the operation to arrest the deceased at his residence on 13-8-2021 at about 3 am was culpable of thoughtless and excessive use of force, which resulted in the death of… Thangkhiew,” the report said.
The report did not name the members of the Tactical Team.
In his response under action taken, the Chief Minister had said an explanation would be sought from the team.
