Ex-HNLC leader behind IED bomb blasts as per ‘incontrovertible evidence’: DGP

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 13, 2021

Former leader of the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) Chesterfield Thangkhiew was shot dead at his residence at Mawlai Kynton Massar here on Friday early morning.

Police alleged that the former militant leader was attacking the police team with a knife when they tried to enter his house during an operation to arrest him for his involvement in the two IED blasts at Laitumkrah and Khliehriat police reserve.

Two of his sons – Grainy Ferrous Greenfield Diengdoh and Olifin Zyircanium Greenfield Diengdoh, who were present during the incident – were also picked up for interrogation.

The joint operation was conducted by two police teams led by East Jaintia Hills SP and East Khasi Hills SP (Traffic, Law & Order) at around 3 am.

Speaking to media persons, Director General of Police (DGP) R Chandranathan said, “During investigation of these two cases, we found ‘incontrovertible evidence’ of Chesterfield Thangkhiew’s involvement especially in the Khliehriat bomb blast case and we also found his involvement and links to the Shillong blast case.”

“When they entered his house…he tried to stab one of the constables and purely exerting the right to defence, one round was fired and Chesterfield was injured in the abdomen and he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries while he was taken to the hospital,” he added.

Incriminating evidence has been seized from the residence of the surrendered cadre including a firearm and a knife, and two more persons have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the cases.

A case is being registered in connection with the incident and the investigation of the case will be supervised by a senior officer to further ascertain the facts and circumstances.

However, people including the family of the slain ex-HNLC leader have questioned the timing of the operation.  

When asked, Chandranathan said, “Raids and search operations are done after a lot of work and these things are not done at whims and fancies – of course, there was an urgency in the wake of the blast which had taken place on August 10 and also the threat looming large in the run up to the August 15 celebrations in the state, it was necessary for us to expedite. Regarding the timing, that is how the men and responsible officers on the ground decide.”

The DGP however refused to comment on the allegation made by Chesterfield’s family that the operation was “pre-planned” as they rejected the knife theory by saying “I am speaking on records so I have no comments to make”.

“We had to arrest him in the interest of the case. Now this thing has happened, he shouldn’t have challenged the police party, it was a wrong thing to do,” he stated.

When asked if it was possible for a man to attack 5-6 armed personnel with a knife, he said, “It is not like that. The ground is always different. When incidents take place most of the time it is not the way you expected it to be…”

He also clarified that the two sons were never arrested but were only taken for verification “because we have to ascertain their role also as it is a matter of investigation.” The DGP further claimed that the gun seized from the ex-militant leader was an illegal weapon.

To another query, he further maintained, “We decided to arrest because we had reached a point where we had incontrovertible evidence against him. This I am saying on record.”

Stating that investigation is continuing as there are more people to be arrested in the IED blast incidents, the DGP said, “We now know the entire set up and matrix of the organization (HNLC).”

On the HNLC’s claim that police intelligence has been using its former leaders, Chandranathan said that the outfit should come out with specific allegations.

If Chesterfield was acting as a mediator between the government and the outfit, he however said that the government’s position in as far as peace talks is concerned is very clear that the outfit should first surrender, accept central policy and come for talks.

On the other hand, the DGP informed that the police are taking action against the threat issued by the HNLC to the Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui. 

The wanted self-styled general secretary of the once notorious and banned militant organisation of Meghalaya surrendered before authorities in 2018.

Che, as he was fondly known, surrendered before Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong at the Police Headquarters in the presence of former Director General of Police R P Agarwal among others.

A founding member of the Hynniewtrep Achik Liberation Council in 1987, Chesterfield held the post of a general secretary when it was re-christened HNLC in 1997. The HALC was the first militant tribal outfit in Meghalaya.

Earlier, one Tenzing Khonglah, an overground worker of the HNLC, was arrested in connection with the Laitumkhrah bomb blast. The DGP said that Khonglah is a lone harbourer who was linked with HNLC. He was arrested and the matter is being investigated.