Meghalaya orders judicial enquiry in former militant’s death

The Meghalaya government has ordered a judicial inquiry to investigate the death of former insurgent Cheristerfield Thangkhiew. The decision to order the inquiry was taken during the cabinet meeting held in Shillong on Monday chaired by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma. The cabinet has decided to constitute a judicial inquiry under the Commission of Inquiry Act, to look into the events that took place on August 13, 2021.

A decision has also been taken to constitute a peace committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, cabinet ministers Hamletson Dohling and Renikton Tongkhar Lyngdoh as members. The Meghalaya government will also constitute a sub-committee for law and order and the sub-committee will be headed by the state’s chief minister, deputy chief minister and home minister. The mobile internet ban in four districts — East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts, to continue. A curfew will continue for the next 24 hours and mobile internet will be suspended till 5 am on Wednesday. Sangma told media personnel that the curfew in the Shillong Agglomeration area, which includes the state capital and adjoining regions, has been extended for 48 hours till 5 am on August 18.