Shillong: With the growing demand for his suspension, Meghalaya Director-General of Police (DGP), R Chandranathan has applied for seven days casual leave from September 10 onwards, official sources said on Tuesday.
However, the State government is tight-lipped on whether it has sanctioned the casual leave sought by Chandranathan and as to who would be officiating in his absence if granted leave.
Sources said that the top-most police official has applied for casual leave since he wanted to exhaust the remaining period of leave as he is due to superannuate on December 31, 2021.
The decision of the DGP to go on leave comes at a time when pressure groups under the banner of Ka Sur Ki Nong Mawlai (Voice of Mawlai People), has been demanding the suspension of Chandranathan, East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police Jagpal Singh Dhanoa and Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Shailendra Bamaniya for their alleged role in the killing in police firing during a “fake encounter” of a former militant leader of the outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) Cheristerfield Thangkhiew on August 13.
The State Police has maintained that Thangkhiew, who was one of the prime accused in the IED blast at Khliehriat Police Reserve in East Jaintia Hills district and Laitumkhrah market in the State capital, was shot at by them in “self defence” as he had attacked them with a knife.
Doctors at the Shillong Civil Hospital declared that Thangkhiew was brought dead.
On August 18, the State Government had assigned the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission chairperson Justice T. Vaiphei to head the judicial probe into the encounter death of Thangkhiew.
The report has to be submitted within three months.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has maintained that action will be taken against those responsible for the death of Thangkhiew based on the report of the judicial inquiry.
“The government is committed to doing that once the judicial inquiry report comes in giving us all details of the case. Once the report comes, we will we be able to identify those responsible and take action,” Sangma said.
Meanwhile, the security was beefed up around the state capital. The police installed check posts at several areas and checked vehicles. The Secretariat gates remained closed and there was a large deployment of police personnel outside it.
