SHILLONG, Sep 10: Nearly a month has passed since the killing of former HNLC general secretary Cheristerfield Thangkhiew and the clamour for the suspension of the police officials, who had led the operation that led to his killing on August 13, is not simmering.
Joining the chorus and expressing solidarity with the ‘Ka Sur U Nong Mawlai’, the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) MLA, Adelbert Nongrum, on Friday said that the government should handle the situation wisely.
“Even if I am part of the government, I will have to speak the truth. The government of the day mishandled (the situation) right from day one and instead of arresting the former HNLC general secretary, they shot him, which is the saddest apart,” the MLA said.
Stating that the prevailing peaceful situation is vulnerable, he said, “To change the mindset of the people and to make them calm, the government of the day should listen to their demand”.
The KHNAM MLA hinted that the demand of Mawlai people could become the voice of the entire state.
“I am worried about the present situation and we don’t want to see our state experience breakdown of law and order again,” he said, while reiterating that the government needs to handle the situation wisely.
“I urge and demand of the government to suspend the top officials because they are responsible for this incident,” he said.
Moreover, the KHNAM legislator also made it clear that he is all set to rake up the issue in the House. “I have prepared what needs to be discussed in the Assembly and I hope the government finds meaning to it,” he added.
To the demand for suspension of top cops, the state government has maintained that they cannot be suspended until and unless the judicial probe is completed. The agitating groups, on the other hand, are now gathering steam to further mount pressure on the government.
On the other hand, the citizenry is worried that this stalemate may trigger another full-blown confrontation, leading to deterioration of the law and order situation.
