SHILLONG, MAR 22: The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) on Friday questioned if the police department is suggesting that its former general secretary Cherishterfield Thangkhiew is still alive by claiming that arrested members of the outfit were having a conversation with the military commander Sanbor Pala.

According to the outfit, the report of the judicial inquiry led by Justice (Retired) T Vaiphei had quoted police claiming that Cherishterfield Thangkhiew and Sanbor Pala were the same person.

The HNLC has also issued a death threat against the police officer responsible for the death of Cherishterfield Thangkhiew.

In a statement, HNLC general secretary-cum-publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said, “The HNLC is surprised to discover that the police department’s claims concerning the audio recording, which allegedly features one of the arrested suspected HNLC members conversing with HNLC military commander Sanbor Pala, are now being contradicted by the police department itself.”

He also asked, “Is the police department now suggesting that the late Cherishterfield Thangkhiew might still be alive? How many innocent people will fall victim to the gun barrels of the Meghalaya Police simply because they are suspected to be Sanbor Pala? Who will be next? Will they target NGO leaders simply based on suspicion of being Sanbor Pala?”

“If they happen to capture the real Sanbor Pala, we will have no defense to deny his identity. Just look at how they wrongly arrested Tarzan Lymba (HNYF leader) on suspicion of his involvement in the IED blast,” Nongtraw said.

The outfit’s leader further stated that “according to the judicial report 2022 led by Justice (Retired) T Vaiphei, the police claimed that accused Bah Cherishterfield Thangkhiew @ Sanbor Pala, was involved in extorting money and IED blasts.”

“This situation has resulted in two significant issues: a breakdown in police intelligence and deception towards the public, NGOs, and Thangkhiew’s family, that Bah Cherishterfield Thangkhiew was Sanbor Pala and operated under that alias. The killing of Bah Cherishterfield Thangkhiew in an alleged staged encounter is believed to be a politically motivated conspiracy involving certain ministers within the MDA government,” he added.

Stating that the HNLC has identified the person responsible for Cheristerfield’s death, Nongtraw said, “The police officer accountable for the demise of Bah Cherish will face consequences. Rest assured, we will locate you, subject you to torture, and behead you. The repeated lies and efforts by the police to hide the truth are evident, oblivious to the fact that trying to bury the truth only postpones its eventual exposure.”

He further stated that the claim that the HNLC misguides and lures youths with monetary benefits and vehicles raises a question about the authorities’ own conduct.

“It has been observed that the state and central governments reward law enforcement officers and soldiers who engage in the harassment, torture, killing, and imprisonment of indigenous leaders and innocent civilians with money, titles, promotions, ribbons, medals, and other awards. The Hynniewtrep youths are also entitled to be rewarded by our community or the HNLC if they combat and eliminate the aggressors and oppressors who pose a real threat to our people and our nation. The HNLC commends the youth for their willingness to make sacrifices for their community. They stand out in sharp contrast to the police, who appear to prioritize non-tribal interests,” Nongtraw asserted.

He also alleged that “many Khasi police officers in the police department, like Claudia Lyngwa and Vivek Syiem, are considered as hybrid officers who conceal their true identities behind the facade of Hynniewtrep.”

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