‘Justice for Thangkhiew’ protest reaches Meghalaya Secretariat

Shillong: ‘Sur U Nong Mawlai’ (Voice of the people of Mawlai) took their protest outside of Mawlai locality on Friday and laid down tari (khasi knives) in front of the Meghalaya Secretariat gates in Shillong.

Tensions have been running high over the past week with heavy security seen in the vicinity of the secretariat.

The leaders and members of the protesting group took the police by surprise as they came to dump their khasi knives in front of the gates of secretariat.

SP City of East Khasi Hills District Vivek Syiem, who was present on the ground, tried to disperse crowd. The protestors, however, started shouting ‘We Want Justice’ in front of the gates. Following the sloganeering, the Khasi anthem ‘Ri Khasi’ was also sung in unison at the gates.

Marbud Dkhar, a leader of the organisation, said they chose to dump the knives today knowing that it was the first day of the Autumn session.

“The Meghalaya government is more concerned about the no-confidence motion brought by the Opposition Congress, instead they should be worried about the no-confidence motion witnessed among the citizens,” said Dkhar.

He said that until the government decides to suspend the top cops involved in the killing of Cherishterfield Thangkhiew, to ensure there is a free and fair judicial inquiry, they will continue to protest everyday. 

Donbok Kharlyngdoh, another leader of the organisation, said it’s not only the residents of Mawlai protesting now, but also people from other districts who are stretching out to give their support.

He added that if the Meghalaya government continued to delay and fool them, their protest would get “more aggressive”. 

Following the protest, security was beefed up outside the Meghalaya secretariat, with personnel on standby.

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