Shillong, Aug 13: The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) on Tuesday commemorated the 3rd death anniversary of its former general secretary, Cherishterfield Thangkhiew, stating that the outfit will always carry on his ideas.

In a statement, HNLC general secretary-cum-publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said, “(We) commemorate the 3rd death anniversary of our esteemed leader, mentor, and visionary, Bah Cherish.”

“While we mourn the loss of a remarkable leader, his legacy endures. Just as our forebears did, Bah Cherish left a blueprint for our freedom. The Enemy can kill him with a bullet, but they can’t destroy his ideas,” he said.

Nongtraw recalled that Hynniewtrep Achik Liberation Council (HALC) was established in 1987 by Cherishterfield Thangkhiew, Sounder Cajee, Founder Cajee, John Kharkrang, Julius Dorphang, Vincent Sangma, and others including a retired Indian Army officer and a Bank Manager. HALC split into HNLC and ALMA in 1992, with the Khasi members becoming part of the HNLC, whereas the Garo members forming the ALMA.

“Bah Cherish was the only founder of the HNLC who neither compromised his principles nor sold out his people,” he stated.

Alleging that many courageous and intellectually astute leaders were systematically targeted and destroyed, Nongtraw said, “One by one, they have been manipulated, brainwashed, silenced, and bought off, weakening the fabric of Hynniewtrep organizations as government agents infiltrated and undermined their structures. Although the late 80s and 90s witnessed numerous voices advocating for our collective pain and suffering, only a handful remain today.”

He further shared that Cherishterfield Thangkhiew earned himself the moniker of the “master of disguise” among some north-eastern leaders for his ability to operate discreetly in Shillong city, confounding law enforcement and government authorities.

Nongtraw also slammed the lack of unity among the leaders and politicians of Hynniewtrep. “Relying solely on politicians and other figures to champion the cause of the ‘Jaidbynriew’, we will have to wait a long time. Many so-called leaders and politicians of Hynniewtrep have money but don’t have unity; they don’t want to come together economically to build our own community. The money that we spend every day only circulates in our community once, but the more money we spend circulates 19 – 90 times in the pocket of the non-tribals,” he said.

On the other hand, the HNLC leader also lamented that the government does not have an economic blueprint.

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