HNLC commemorates 3rd death anniversary of its leader Cherishterfield Thangkhiew
The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) on Tuesday commemorated the 3rd death anniversary of its former general secretary Cherishterfield Thangkhiew.
In a statement, HNLC general secretary-cum-publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said, “(We) commemorate the 3rd death anniversary of our esteemed leader, mentor, and visionary, Bah Cherish.”
“While we mourn the loss of a remarkable leader, his legacy endures. Just as our forebears did, Bah Cherish left a blueprint for our freedom. The Enemy can kill him with a bullet, but they can’t destroy his ideas,” he said.
Nongtraw said established in 1987 by Bah Cherish, Sounder Cajee, Founder Cajee, John Kharkrang, Julius Dorphang, Vincent Sangma, and others including a retired Indian Army officer and a Bank Manager, the HALC transitioned to become the HNLC in 1992, while our Achik brethren from the HALC formed the ALMA.
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“Bah Cherish was the only founder of the HNLC who neither compromised his principles nor sold out his people,” he stated.
Alleging that many courageous and intellectually astute leaders were systematically targeted and destroyed, Nongtraw said, “One by one, they have been manipulated, brainwashed, silenced, and bought off, weakening the fabric of Hynniewtrep organizations as government agents infiltrated and undermined their structures. Although the late 80s and 90s witnessed numerous voices advocating for our collective pain and suffering, only a handful remain today.”
“Bah Cherish used to tell me that there is no wealth or prestige greater than liberation. It was he who brought the idea of separatism and studied the struggles of Wickliffe Syiem. Bah Cherish was an intellectual who did not separate himself from the masses. He earned the moniker of the “master of disguise” among some Northeastern leaders for his ability to operate discreetly in Shillong city, confounding law enforcement and government authorities,” he said.
Further, Nongtraw slammed the lack of unity among the leaders and politicians of Hynniewtrep.
“Relying solely on politicians and other figures to champion the cause of the ‘Jaidbynriew’, we will have to wait a long time. Many so-called leaders and politicians of Hynniewtrep have money but don’t have unity; they don’t want to come together economically to build our own community. The money that we spend every day only circulates in our community once, but the more money we spend circulates 19 – 90 times in the pocket of the non-tribals,” he said.
On the other hand, the HNLC leader also lamented that the government does not have an economic blueprint.
“The government does not have an economic blueprint; as a result, our people are impoverished, vulnerable, and Meghalaya has become a low-ranking state in India,” he added.
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