KSKBUH demands CBI probe into Thangkhiew’s death

A memorandum in this regard was submitted to the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday. The group also sought the support of the Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma and 36 legislators from the Khasi and Jaintia Hill region to ensure the state government comply with the demand.

“Based on the Commission’s report, we strongly demand the state government should immediately hand over the matter to the CBI for further investigation and for prosecution of all involved in the commission of the crime leading to the death of (L) Cheristerfield Thangkhiew,” the KSKBUH said in the letter.

It also referred to the report of the One Man Commission of Inquiry which had remarked: “If the primary objective of carrying out the operation was to capture the deceased alive, the manner in which the raid was conducted unnecessarily gives rise to the impression that that was not so. This is very unfortunate”.

“This remarked in our opinion make us ponder as to the fact that there may be a conspiracy to eliminate the deceased and not to capture/arrest him alive and which we feel that there should be an investigation to unearthed the truth as to whether there was any criminal conspiracy and to prosecute all those involved as per law,” the group said.

After a period of 9 months, the Commission had submitted its findings to the state government.

In its report, the Commission had clearly stated that ‘the operation was a well laid plan, but executed poorly, recklessly, hastily and without proper application of mind. In other words, it was a botched-up operation…”

The Commission also remarked strongly that ‘in my considered view, the post facto excuse that none but the deceased was hurt cannot be a valid justification for carrying out the operation hastily and in a reckless manner by the Tactical Team-I. Therefore, my finding is that the Tactical Team-I in carrying out the operation to arrest the deceased at his residence on 13-08-2021 at about 3 am was culpable of thoughtless and excessive use of force, which resulted in the death of the deceased, late Cheristerfield Thangkhiew, which turned out to be avoidable.”

The KSKBUH said that the findings of the commission is very clear that the member(s) of the Tactical Team-I are/is culpable of causing the death of the deceased person and hence they should be investigated into, put to trial and prosecute those involved in this crime as per law of the land.

“Earlier you have clearly stated that, the government is waiting for the report to take further action and nothing can be done till the commission’s report is out. However, it is shocking to see that the state government instead of acting on the observation and findings particularly at para 34 of the report of the Commission, is either trying to delay the matter deliberately or is trying to save those involved in this ‘botched-up operation’ by issuing the so-called ‘explanation call to the Tactical Team-I’ as per the Memorandum of Action taken on the inquiry report,” it stated.

By Our Reporter