Shillong, March 28: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong on Tuesday rejected the allegation on the existence of an alleged “high level tribe” even as he informed that the government will examine the explanation submitted by Tactical Team-I, which had conducted the operation at the residence of former HNLC leader (L) Cheristerfield Thangkhiew which led to his death on August 13, 2021.
“If only you can produce the documentary proof, nothing like it, but just for hearsay and interest of speaking, government does not at all accept this kind of statement made that we need to create one more tribe in Meghalaya,” Tynsong said in his reply to the cut motion jointly moved by two opposition MLAs Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit (VPP) and Dr Celestine Lyngdoh (Congress) in the Assembly.
Stating that the word ‘high level’ is always in the market, the deputy CM said, “At that point of time when MDA was there, being its spokesperson, I keep clarifying myself by saying why don’t you bring the members of that high level and why not file FIR against members of the high level.”
He, however, termed the allegation made on the ‘high level’ just a political speech.
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On the status of the case related to the alleged killing of (L)Thangkhiew, Tynsong said the government had just received the explanation from the concerned team (Tactical Team-I) few weeks ago.
“And now government will examine (the explanation). It is not that we want to delay things but let me assure members of the August House that the pending issue as already recommended by the inquiry commission, government will take action accordingly,” he added.
Relating to the Meghalaya High Court order for deployment of CISF to check against illegal transportation of coal in the state, the deputy chief minister said, “Let me clarify, as far as the performance of the state police (is concerned), we are capable enough. I will not talk much on the high court ruling but let me assure this House that our police force are equipped enough to handle things in the state of Meghalaya.”
Dr Lyngdoh while participating in the discussion urged the government to set the police force free and allow them to do their job.
Defending his department, Tynsong said that the government has given free hand to the police force to handle things be it criminal issues or law and order issues or relating to safety and security of the state adding that the government has never interfered with the functioning of the police.
On the grievances of the police personnel, the deputy CM said, “I will examine and I will go through all this as we want to boost the morale of the police force.”
As far as modernization is concerned, Tynsong informed that he along with his team would meet the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials after the budget session to discuss more on the issue of modernizaton of the police force.
When Basaiawmoit wanted to know who had given the order to kill (L) Thangkhiew, Tynsong said, “We have already issued the explanation call to the team. Right now I cannot say who has given the order.”
He, however, maintained that the original plan was to arrest the former leader of the outfit.
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