Following the death of Cherishterfield Thangkhiyu, a former terrorist of the outlawed Hynewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) during a police operation, Shillong saw considerable incidents of arson, stone pelting and vandalism on 15 August 2021, and by 18 August 2021 the entire region. Curfew was imposed in
Meghalaya Home Minister Lakhmen Rimbui resigned on August 15, 2021 and urged the state government to conduct a judicial inquiry to uncover the hidden truth behind the murder of HNLC’s Thangkhiyu during a police operation on August 13.
Amid this unrest, the Meghalaya government also suspended internet services for 72 hours in four districts, East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South-West Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi district, with effect from 06 PM on August 15, 2021. Is.
The 57-year-old Thangkhiyu was the founding general secretary of the separatist Hinewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC).
Thangkhiyu entered the militancy in the year 1987 and was the co-founder of the Hynewtrep Achik Liberation Council (HALC), the first major separatist extremist tribal organization in Meghalaya. He surrendered to the government in October 2018.
Thangkhiyu was gunned down at his residence in Shillong during a police encounter on August 13, 2021.
Meghalaya Police has further said that they have strong evidence of Thangkhiyu’s involvement in IED blasts in the last two months.
Meghalaya’s home minister, belonging to the United Democratic Party, an ally of Chief Minister Sangma’s National People’s Party, resigned on August 15, 2021, and also demanded a judicial inquiry into Thangkhiyu’s murder.
On August 16, 2021, the cabinet has announced a judicial inquiry into Thangkhiyu’s death. A ‘Security and Law and Order’ sub-committee will also be formed under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sangma to deal with the law and order situation in the state.
