SHILLONG:
The one-man inquiry commission report into the alleged fake encounter of the former Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) leader Cheristerfield Thangkhiew is still being examined by the government, informed Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, on July 13.
“We have received the report and we are examining it. Obviously, it is a very lengthy report so at an appropriate time, we will be informing you about the outcome of the report,” Sangma told reporters.
Notably, on May 20, the committee, headed by Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) Justice T Vaiphei, had submitted its report into the August 13, 2021 incident.
Vaiphei had then informed that it took six months’ time to complete the report after conducting 20 hearings. Earlier, a three months extension was also given after the deadline to submit the report expired. At least 12 witnesses were examined by the Commission.
“I have examined five witnesses including the medical officer who conducted the post mortem examination and…four police officers. From the family of the victim’s side, I examined five witnesses then another two as a commission witnesses who are the Investigation Officer (IO) of the Khliehriat IED explosion case and other is the IO of Mawlai case where the incident had taken place,” Justice Vaiphei had said. He had maintained that the ball is now in the government’s court.
Police had alleged that the former militant leader had attacked the police team with a knife when they tried to enter his house during an operation to arrest him for his involvement in the two IED blasts at Laitumkhrah on August 10 and Khliehriat police reserve on July 14, respectively.
However, the family of the slain ex-HNLC leader, who was suffering from kidney problems, had termed the operation as a “pre-planned” move by the police to eliminate him.
A police vehicle was set ablaze by unidentified youths at Jaiaw. Weapons were also snatched from police personnel on duty. Later on August 23, the three INSAS rifles were recovered from Umkhrah river.