Meghalaya Police condemns 'fake allegations' published by media on Cheristerfield encounter case
Speaking of the incident, the press release highlighted that the decision to arrest Cheristerfield was taken in consultation with senior police officials who evaluated all options, following two successive explosions in the state – one at Khliehriat police reserve and the other at Shillong’s Laitumkhrah market – which eventually pointed towards the ex-militant’s involvement.
SHILLONG:
The office of the Director General of Police (DGP) issued a press release on Monday condemning the “unverified allegations” published in the media, which accused top police personnel of the department of being a part of the Cheristerfield encounter case based on a letter whose authenticity could not be verified.
Speaking of the incident, the press release highlighted that the decision to arrest Cheristerfield was taken in consultation with senior police officials who evaluated all options, following two successive explosions in the state – one at Khliehriat police reserve and the other at Shillong’s Laitumkhrah market – which eventually pointed towards the ex-militant’s involvement.
“Terming the death of Cheristerfield Thangkhiew as killing on the orders of the Police is a gross misstatement and a complete falsehood. The death was caused due to non-cooperation of Cheristerfield Thangkhiew with the police team and clear attempt on his part to assault and cause fatal injury to a member of the police team,” the release said.
On September 23, a letter was received via post by Granary Starfield Thangkhiew, the brother of Cheristerfield, which demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the case if the state government failed to suspend police officials involved.
Writers of the letter claimed to be retired policemen, although sources in the police said that the names under which the letter was written were fake.
The letter condemned the killing of Cherish S. Thangkhiew on August 13 and pointed fingers at top police officials — namely IPS officers Jagpal Singh Dhanoa and Shailendra Bamaniya, DGP R. Chandranathan and IGP (Law & Order) Mukesh Kumar Singh — saying “even ministers are afraid to speak against these IPS officers.”
“By publishing unverified allegations made by some person, the newspapers have also attempted to bring disrepute and tarnish the reputation of the police force and in particular of officers who are not native to Meghalaya,” the recent release said.
“The manner in which leading newspapers are publishing unverified facts and conspiracy theories, promoting ill-will and animosity in the public against bonafide actions of the police force taken to protect the lives of innocent public is an abuse of press freedom,” the release elaborated.
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