Assam Police advises residents not to travel via Shillong; Meghalaya’s Home Minister resigns

After Assam and Mizoram, now there is a law and order situation in another Northeastern state – Meghalaya. A curfew has been imposed and the mobile internet stands suspended for at least 48 hours. The administration was compelled to take measures after a group of miscreants hijacked Police vehicles and started brandishing lethal weapons in broad daylight.

The Police vehicle belonged to Mawkynroh Police Outpost was set ablaze by the miscreants in Jaiaw a locality in Shillong city. Many vehicles were also vandalised disrupting vehicular traffic on Silchar – Guwahati road. The violence broke after Cheristerfield Thangkhiew, a founding member of the banned organisation, Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) was killed in a Police mission. Cheristerfield Thangkhiew is a former militant who surrendered himself and started living life in the mainstream.

According to the DGP of Meghalaya Police, R Chandranathan the Police had “ample evidence” to confirm Cheristerfield Thangkhiew’s link with the IED blast that jolted the state’s capital on August 10. After arresting a few suspects and interrogating them, the Meghalaya Police decided to raid the former militant’s residence. According to a Times of India report that quoted the DGP,  Cheristerfield Thangkhiew attacked the Police personnel with a knife and only after that the men in uniform had to open fire.

Meghalaya Police released a statement that read, “The police team exerting the right to private defence, fired a single round which hit the surrendered cadre, and after being hit, he was immediately rushed to Civil Hospital, Shillong for medical assistance but unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries.”

After today’s protest and the gross exhibition of lawlessness in heart of the Meghalaya’s capital, the Home Minister of Meghalaya Lahkmen Rymbui, has reportedly resigned from the position. The think tanks in Meghalaya feel this will bring the tension under control albeit temporarily. However, human rights organisations have demanded a detailed report of the investigation that led to the raid of the former militant’s residence and the situation under which he was shot dead.

On the other hand, since the Mahasadak or the famous East-West corridor is still in shambolic condition, Shillong road is the only way for vehicular traffic between Silchar and Guwahati. Several vehicles on the road were vandalised today. The ADGP Law and Order of Assam, GP Singh took on Twitter to advise the residents of the state. The same has been endorsed by Assam Police. The tweet read, “Curfew has been imposed in Shillong due to Law & Order issues. People from Assam are advised not to travel to Shillong till the curfew continues.”