HNLC accuses Meghalaya police of falsely linking Mawdoh to the outfit ahead of MDC elections

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 22, 2024

The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has accused the state police of tarnishing the image of Sromwell Mawdoh before the upcoming MDC elections by linking him to the outfit. 

This came days after Mawdoh was arrested from his residence at Umpling, Shillong for allegedly involving in collection of extortion money from victims.

Police had informed that Mawdoh, who is an ex-headmaster of Laishnong secondary school, Mawlangsu, West Khasi Hills, has confessed that he is the “HNLC treasurer”.

Rubbishing the police’s claim, HNLC general secretary cum publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw in a statement said, “The allegation made against Mawdoh by the police lacks substantiation, and we urge the authorities to provide tangible evidence to corroborate their claim regarding his association with the HNLC.”

“I have learned from his Facebook post and other sources that Mawdoh has shown interest in participating in the upcoming MDC election. The police department wants to kill and vilify Mawdoh in the press to depict him as a devil before the election. The actions of the police department, in tarnishing Mawdoh’s character by falsely linking him to the HNLC, are troubling,” Nongtraw said.

He added, “The HNLC wishes to clarify that Sromwell Mawdoh was not a surrendered HNLC member… He was in fact apprehended in June 2015 as an active HNLC member. On the second occasion of his arrest from his residence, the police implicated him as an Over Ground Worker (OGW) of the HNLC.”

Further, Nongtraw slammed the police department for behaving as a rogue entity, targeting young individuals under the guise of upholding law and order. In reality, they are a group of hustlers, deceivers, murderers, and liars, he said.

He continued: “In 2010, when Paristone Pakyntein@Pudo was arrested by the BSF, Meghalaya Police official Jyoti Wahlang went to meet the BSF officials to request them to hand over Pakyntein to the police department. She advised the BSF not to release any press statements; instead, her department would handle that as they are skilled in managing such matters due to their expertise in mixing spices or ingredients, with 12 specific items. With their expertise in blending spices it can be inferred that the police department may employ tactics like propaganda or coercion to manipulate and demoralize any group or individual during arrests.”

The HNLC leader further announced the returned of Emanuel Suchen, a 2003 batch and expert in explosives, to the outfit and warned the government not to underestimate the outfit’s strength.

“During Emanuel Suchen’s time in Mawiong, Justice T. Vaiphei visited him to inquire about Bah Che’s alleged involvement in the IED incident in Jaintia Hills and Laitumkhrah. Suchen reassured Vaiphei that Bah Che was not linked to the incident,” he said

“Following this, three ministers – Conrad Sangma, Prestone, and Lakhmen Rymbui – individually visited Suchen in Mawiong and persistently questioned him regarding Bah Che’s role in the IED incident. Despite Suchen’s continuous refusals, the ministers pressured him into providing a false confession that implicated Bah Che. As an incentive for his compliance, they promised him a job and financial benefits. It is evident from Star Cement’s attempts to reach out to Emmanuel to offer him a job that there exists a close connection between the state government and Star Cement,” he said while adding “After surrendering, Emanuel was brought to Mawiong, where SP Jagpal Singh arrived, threatened Emanuel’s life, and physically assaulted him, resulting in injuries and suffering. Following a three-month detention in Mawiong, the NIA transferred him from Jowai jail to Delhi for interrogation, where he faced third-degree torture. Emanuel sustained serious injuries to his neck, fingers, and hip.” 

“He (Emanuel) has now been returned to the HNLC and is receiving medical treatment, and we remain hopeful for his swift recovery.

Emanuel Suchen, a member of the 2003 HNLC batch, is highly disciplined, an expert in explosives, and steadfast in his dedication to the cause of Hynńiewtrep,” Nongtraw said.