Shillong, Aug 15: The Independence Day this year was different for Mawlai residents on Sunday.
Instead of attending the I-Day celebrations, a large crowd gathered at the residence of slain ex-HNLC general secretary Cherishstarfield Thangkhiew on Sunday afternoon.
It was a gloomy and overcast Sunday and it was drizzling.
All the roads from Mawlai and adjoining areas led to the residence of Thangkhiew at Mawlai Kynton Massar Block D.
Along the road, the young and the old held black flags condemning the police and the government for the killing of Thangkhiew. Many families were seen standing on the terrace and top floors holding placards.
On Saturday, the Mawlai residents had staged a blackout for 5 minutes from 7 pm and on Sunday, they observed black flag day.
More black clouds hovered over the sky as people prayed for the departed soul and anxiously listened to the speeches of community leaders and those of the pressure groups.
The speakers ridiculed the theory of the police and Chief Minister Conrad Sangma that police had to shoot Thangkhiew as he attacked them with a ‘simple’ knife, to the applause of those who gathered.
