Meghalaya: Home minister resigns, curfew clamped in Shillong

The Meghalaya government on Sunday clamped a curfew after the law and order situation worsened in the state. Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui has reportedly resigned. The government suspended internet connectivity in four districts and imposed curfew in Shillong. The situation in Shillong and other parts of Meghalaya turned worse, following the death of the former leader of a banned-militant group. 

Reports of violence came from aforesaid areas as Cheristerfield Thangkhiew, a militant who had surrendered, was laid to rest at a cemetery in Shillong after being killed by police in an encounter at his home on August 13. In a notification issued by CVD Diengdoh, secretary of Meghalaya Home department stated that: “Whereas, reports have been received from police headquarters in Meghalaya Shillong, that incidents of vandalism and arson, which have a potential public peace and tranquility, and cause a threat to public safety, have occurred in East Khasi Hills district and adjoining districts which may likely create breakdown of law and order.”

Meanwhile, the state Home Minister, in his resignation letter to the Chief Minister, said former rebel leader Cherishstarfield Thangkhiew was "killed following the raid of police at his residence exceeding the lawful tenets of the law".  Rymbui also proposed a judicial enquiry into the matter, adding, "I would like to request you to relieve the Home (Police) Department from me with immediate effect. This will facilitate free and fair enquiry taken by the government to bring out the truth of the incident." Mobile internet was stopped for 48 hours, beginning at 6 pm, in East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills, and Ri-Bhoi districts, officials said. Meghalaya Director General of Police R. Chandranathan said that investigations into the several IED blasts in the state have revealed the involvement of drug addicts and over-ground workers of the outlawed HNLC to carry out their nefarious activities.Thangkhiew, who was a founding leader of the HNLC before surrendering to the government in 2018, was cremated on Sunday.