"Knife Surrender Protest" in Shillong against government's failure to suspend police personnel

Given the protest against the encounter of militant outfit Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council's
(HNLC)  former general secretary Cheristerfield Thangkhiew.

Protesters from 11 local organizations on Monday organized a unique 'pyndem tari' (knife surrender) rally in Shillong to protest the government's failure in suspending police personnel responsible for the killing of a former militant leader on August 13.

However, a large number of youths and activists, including women, along with leaders of the "Ka Sur Ki Nongmawlai", an umbrella body of the 11 local organizations, took part in the rally demanding suspension of the police personnel responsible for the killing of the former HNLC leader.

 The protesters, carrying locally-made knives and shouting slogans, deposited the knives at the Mawlai bus stand after the rally which went around the state capital.

"This is a symbolic protest as the police claimed that they fired upon Thangkhiew in 'self-defense' on August 13 when the slain former HNLC leader attacked the police with a knife. Our protests would continue until the government takes action against the guilty police officials," an activist told the media. (IANS)

Earlier, violence broke out during Independence day, following the incident when police vehicles were tortured, weapons of policemen were looted which later was recovered from a river and Chief Minister's residence was also attacked.

The state government had earlier ordered judicial enquiry into the matter and assured that action will be taken against any one found guilty after the reports are out.