According to East Mojo, following the turmoil over the past few days after the encounter of ex-HNLC militant HNLC Cherishterfield Thangkhiew, authorities have banned internet services in four districts of Meghalaya for the next 48 hours.
Secretary to Government of Meghalaya issues
Notification issued by C.V.D. Diengdoh, Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Home (Police) Department states “…reports have been received from Police Headquarters, Meghalaya, Shillong, that incidents of vandalism and arson which have a potential to disturb 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 severe breakdown of law and order.
Whereas, messaging system like SMS and Whatsapp and social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are likely to be used for transmission of information through pictures, videos and text and have the potential to cause serious breakdown of Law & Order.”
Further the notification mentioned “..in order to prevent the misuse of the above mentioned media to disturb peace and tranquility in the State of Meghalaya and for maintaining law and order…prohibit the following types of media for the next 48 (Forty-eight) hours beginning from 06:00 pm on 15th August, 2021 in the 4 (Four) districts of Meghalaya namely, East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi Districts.”
Ever since the extra-judicial encounter of the ex-HNLC militant, the situation in Meghalaya has been extremely intense. The Meghalaya Chief Minister did say that they received credible information from the intelligence agency of another impending attack. However, few have bought that argument.
Demand for the removal of Home Minister
The Hynniewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC) on Saturday put up banners at Motphran in Shillong demanding the removal of Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui. Further, they called for the prosecution of Meghalaya Police as the organisation feels that former HNLC general secretary who was killed by the police on Friday, was killed in a ‘fake encounter’.
Black Flag Day
Ka Sur Ki Nong Mawlai’ (Voice of the people of Mawlai) also declared the observarion of August 15 as ‘Black Flag Day’ to pay tribute to Cherishterfield. Additionally, they have alleged that the police has carried out an illegal raid, murdering Cherishterfield.
Since the extrajudicial killing of an ex-HNLC militant, Meghalaya has been on fire, and despite the chief minister’s claim that the police got solid evidence of another coming attack, prompting them to act quickly, few people believe him.
Following turmoil over the previous several days following the encounter of ex-HNLC militant HNLC Cherishterfield Thangkhiew, internet services have been suspended in four districts of Meghalaya for 48 hours. Also, IAS, District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills has imposed curfew in whole of the municipal, cantonment area.
