Another 3 HNLC cadres arrested in Khyndailad IED blast

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 2, 2022

Another three cadres of the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) were arrested along with explosives on Wednesday.

East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Sylvester Nongtnger said based on the information received from a reliable source, 3 other HNLC cadres were arrested from Shillong and during the house search, some explosive items were recovered and seized accordingly.

After chairing a cabinet meeting to review the law and order situation in the state, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told reporters that all people involved in the Khyndailad IED blast have been arrested.

“All the people who were directly involved in the incident have been arrested including the people from whom the dynamite sticks were procured, including the people who placed it, including the people who have made it,” he said.

Stating that investigation is ongoing, Sangma said, “We will be going into the networks even further and going into all the people who were intouch with them to make sure we dig into this deep and get hold of the people who could possibly have been a part of this or have assisted.”

Earlier, a juvenile, who identified himself as the Area Commander for Shillong Region of the HNLC, was arrested hours after the IED was detonated at the entrance of the Centre Point building at Khyndailad (Police Bazar) on Sunday evening.

The chief minister said the arrested people are mainly supporters and sympathizers of the banned outfit.

“Of course the actual linkage and how much they have been involved in communication and the organization is still a matter of investigation so we are looking into those aspects as well,” he said.

Earlier, the chief minister has admitted that installation of CCTVs in strategic locations have to a great extent helped the police investigation to nab the culprits.

“We have CCTV footage on all the three of them,” he said. Sangma however said that police are still investigating to find out the next target, if any, following the recovery of live IED from the residence of the first accused.

On HNLC’s threat against traders, the chief minister said, “We have made it very clear that we are very firm on this and we will take very firm and strict action on this and all the people who are involved will be caught and that has been done and we will continue to do this those who intend to create fear and terror will not be spared we will do everything that is required to be done.”

Meanwhile, police sources informed that one person was also arrested in Ri Bhoi for his involvement in the blast incident.