SHILLONG, June 15: The family of slain former HNLC leader, Cheristerfield Thangkhiew, has filed a writ petition in the High Court of Meghalaya seeking its intervention for a CBI probe into his killing.
Thangkhiew’s younger brother, Granary Starfield Thangkhiew told reporters on Thursday that the petition was filed on June 12.
“We waited for two years to allow the government to initiate action against the police officials responsible for the killing. We tried to get information on the case through the SP. But nothing was forthcoming,” Granary said.
He said the first thing they mentioned in the petition was an appeal to hand over the investigation to the CBI as they are not satisfied with the action initiated by the state government.
Secondly, the family sought information on the steps taken so far based on the FIR that it lodged with the Mawlai police station on August 18, 2021. Further, it sought information on the actions taken by the government based on the recommendations of Justice (retd) T Vaiphei-headed one-man inquiry commission.
The court on Wednesday heard the petition after it was moved by senior counsel TT Diengdoh who was assisted by R Kharsyad. Government advocates S Sahay and ER Chyne were present on behalf of all respondents.
The grievance of Thangkhiew’s family members is that they are still not aware what transpired after the probe panel submitted its report on May 19, 2022.
Sahay submitted that certain steps were taken in so far as the investigation and action against the erring personnel are concerned. He said he may be allowed to bring the status report and other materials by way of an affidavit within four weeks from June 14.
The matter will be heard again on July 13.
Granary pointed out that the report of the probe commission had said “the police operation to arrest his brother was culpable of thoughtless and excessive use of force” which resulted in his death.
“We have been patient but it appears that the government is trying to delay just to protect the erring police officials. We have seen that there is an attempt by the government to move away from this issue,” Granary said.
He claimed that he knows the names of the police officials responsible for the killing.
“We will divulge the names of these police officials if the situation so demands,” he added.
He welcomed the government-HNLC peace talks and said Thangkhiew was very much involved to bring the outfit to the talks table. He, however, cautioned the HNLC members to be alert and not believe in everything so that they do not face the fate of his brother.
