Cherishster encounter: Protestors surrender knives in front of Sectt. building; stage sit-in demonstration
Members of the Voice of Mawlai People, an umbrella organisation of several NGOs, staged a surprise “Knife Surrender” protest in front of the main Secretariat building (Rilang Building) on Friday.
Several members of the conglomeration dropped traditional Khasi knives on the main gate of the Secretariat when the first day of the Autumn session in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly was in progress.
The demonstration was followed by a sit-in protest where the members held placards and shouted slogans such as “No solution, no rest” and “Long Live Cherishsterfield”.
“We are not asking for too much; all we want is the suspension of those two cops because we want the judicial inquiry to be fair and transparent. The government is playing tricks by insisting on action post inquiry," said Marbud Dkhar, adding that the conglomeration want the Chief Minister to announce on the floor of the House that the government will suspend the two top cops.
The demonstration was in protest against the state government’s delay in suspending the top police officials who were involved in the encounter of ex-militant Cherish S. Thangkhiew. On August 16, two days after the encounter, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has constituted a judicial inquiry to probe the matter.
The dropping of the knives was symbolic of the knife the police had accused late Thangkhiew of attacking them with, justifying the killing of the ex-militant as an act of self-defence, on the night of August 13. Members of Voice of Mawlai People had held a similar rally on September 6.
Meanwhile, the sordar (headmen) of Mawryngkneng block will hold a candlelight vigil at Smit village in East Khasi Hills today at 6 pm to demand justice for the slain ex-militant.
Similarly, several NGOs from Upper Shillong, under the banner - Ka Sur Eh-Rngiew ki Nong Upper Shillong – have responded to the call for participation in the protests and will hold a signature campaign from 10 am onwards at 3rd Mile junction and Kynton, Nongkseh to be followed by a candlelight rally at 6 pm on September 13.
(Edited by Ibankyntiew Mawrie)
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