HNLC claims responsibility for planting IED bomb in coke factory

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 17, 2020

SHILLONG: The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) claimed responsibility on Friday for planting an improvised explosive device (IED) bomb inside a coke factory in East Jaintia Hills District.

The outfit also threatened stern action against the Doloi of the Elaka Sutnga and the headman if they failed to cancel the No-objection certificate (NOC) to the M/s Meghalaya Coke.

District police on Wednesday recovered the IED bomb from the premises of the factory at Umpleng (Bthei) village and suspected that it was planted to blast the factory. A bomb disposal squad immediately swung into action and defused the IED yesterday.

A statement issued by the HNLC general secretary cum publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said that after taking cognizance on the opposition registered by the three villages and NGOs against the coke factory, the outfit had conducted an enquiry into the matter.

It was found that the Doloi of Elaka Sutnga and the headman (of Umpleng) had issued the NOC to the coke factory by misusing and abusing their powers and this was also despite the matter was also intervened by the High Court, the statement said.

“Therefore, we were compelled to plant the IED bomb at the coke factory. However, our cadres on seeing the presence of many local villagers that night decided not to go ahead with the bombing attack and has also avoided to open fire at the security guards of the factory,” Nongtraw claimed.

He said the HNLC has also decided to issue a strong warning against the Doloi of Elaka and the headman with a demand that they should immediately cancel the NOC issued to the factory and not to allow settling by outsiders in the area.

“If they failed to comply with our demand, we will be compelled to take stern action even to the extent of taking their lives,” the HNLC leader said.

Stating that the Doloi of Elaka Sutnga has been known for abusing his powers, Nongtraw said that the HNLC is also informed about how he had given NOC to Nepalese for establishing the Umthe village adding he had also tried recognize Soo Kilo, a market known for rampant gambling and other illegal activities as a village.

He said the NGOs were also chased away if they want to conduct checking on trading license and labour license in the area.

The Doloi had also come up with rules that residents of the elaka will be ostracized and all their works/businesses will be taken away if they support the local NGOs there, Nongtraw said.