Shillong, Aug 14: Not willing to come to terms with Meghalaya police’s statement that former HNLC general secretary Cherishterfield Thangkhiew was killed in an encounter, Hynniewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC) on Saturday put up banners at Motphran in Shillong.

HYC has demanded the removal of Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui and to prosecute Meghalaya police since the organisation feels that former HNLC general secretary who was killed by the police on Friday, was actually killed in a ‘fake encounter’.

They have also demanded justice for (Late) Cherishterfield Thangkhiew and one of the banners read, ‘If we don’t stand now, we could be next. Justice for Mr Cherishterfield Thangkhiew’.

Meanwhile, ‘Ka Sur Ki Nong Mawlai’ ( Voice of the people of Mawlai) has urged the people of the state to pay tribute to Cherishterfield by observing August 15, which is also Independence Day celebration, as ‘Black Flag Day’. They have also alleged that what the police has done was an illegal raid and also murdered Cherishterfield.

Member and social activist, Samran Syiem said that they urge not only the people of Mawlai but everyone in the state to participate in observing Sunday as black flag day.

They have also requested citizens to participate in a 5 minutes black-out in Saturday at 7 pm, as a mark of respect to Cherishterfield. “This is done to show that we are against the illegal activity of the police in killing Bah Che and also to pay our respects for the contribution he has made to the society,” stated Syiem.

HYC and ‘Ka Sur Ki Nong Mawlai’ have also condemned the actions of the police for beating the two sons of Cherishterfield who were taken by the police for interrogation after the encounter. The organisation has asked for the police to come out and clarify since the police had earlier in their statement mentioned that two associates of Cherishterfield were arrested.

However, later on Friday evening during a briefing Meghalaya DGP, R Chandranathan said that there is a slight correction with the release as the two who were picked up were taken for interrogation and not arrested. The police in their statement have also mentioned the two boys were associates and didn’t pay heed to their information that they were his sons and not his associates.

The two sons, Grainy FG Diengdoh and Olifin G Diengdoh, on Friday slammed the police for their insensitivity after being released.