Shillong, Aug 13: Former general secretary of the proscribed HNLC, Cheristerfield Thangkhiew was killed in retaliatory police firing early Friday morning.
According to police, in connection with the IED blasts in East Jaintia Hills district and Shillong, during investigation they had arrested a number of persons and from their statements and material evidences collected, there were clear indications linking the involvement of Thangkhiew in both the explosions.
Meghalaya police, Assistant Inspector General, G. K. Iangrai in a statement said that on the basis of these evidences an operation was launced in the wee hours of Friday to arrest Thangkhiew and his associates.
“However, when the police team tried to enter his house in Kynton Massar, the surrendered cadre attacked the team with a knife as an attempt to escape,” Iangrai said.
He informed that the police team exerting the right to private defence, fired a single round which hit Thangkhiew.
Police said that he was immediately rushed to Civil Hospital Shillong for medical assistance but unfortunately he succumbed to his injuries.
Iangrai also informed that two more persons were arrested for their alleged involvement in the cases. Also police said that incriminating evidences has been seized from the residence of the former HNLC general secretary.
It may be mentioned that Thangkhiew who was the self-styled general secretary of the banned rebel outfit HNLC, had surrendered before Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong at Shillong in October, 2018.
He had then said that he had retired from the outfit.