HNLC claims responsibility for planting IED bomb in Sookilo

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 27, 2020

The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) claimed responsibility on Friday for planting an improvised explosive device (IED) bomb at Soo-kilo under Sutnga Elaka in East Jaintia Hills District.

Outfit’s general secretary cum publicity secretary, Sainkupar Nongtraw in a statement said that on Thursday, the cadres of the HNLC had planted an IED with a timer device, that came up with a huge explosion at Soo-kilo.

“The incident was covered up and hidden by the police department because they never want to show that the HNLC is still strong and has its roots all over the Khasi and Jaintia Hills region,” he said.

“The hiding tactics of the police department shall encourage the HNLC to come out with more of such operations, whereby we do not care at all if lives are lost. If at all any such incidents take place whereby human lives are lost, the police department is sure to blame the HNLC even if we are not involved,” Nongtraw added.

Stating that Soo-kilo area was a brainchild of the Dolloi Sutnga to enable outsiders to carry out illegal business activities, the HNLC leader said the area is famous for prostitution, gambling and many other anti-social activities.

He alleged the market functions as a coal depot and everything takes place by the cooperation of the police as they get their timely shares from the proceedings.

“After complaints from several individuals and groups about illegal activities in this area the HNLC had warned the Dolloi to stop all the illegal activities, and gave him time. But even after 11 months the Dolloi did not pay any heed to our warnings, which made us to take a firm step by exploding an IED on the 26th Nov 2020 at the market,” he claimed.

On the other hand, the HNLC slammed the state government for failing to arrest the people involved in the killing of a KSU member (L) Lurshai Hynniewta during the Ichamati incident in February, this year.  

Claiming that it has identified the person responsible behind the clash, Nongtraw said, “if the police department does not arrest him then we shall be compelled to take military action against him and his sympathizers.”

He also pointed out that the issue of Them metor is also not being solved till date because of the inability of the MDA government to come up with a strong stand.

Also stating that it seems now that the government has become a toothless tiger,  Nongtraw said the ILP resolution was passed in the Assembly last year but again till date it is being studied and scrutinized.

Referring to the statement made by the home minister that the HNLC is still recruiting cadres, and carrying out its operations, the HNLC leader said that the home minister forgot to mention that the HNLC till date has not signed any kind of ceasefire agreement with the state nor the centre. “Simply giving verbal assurances for peace to usher and to give up arms is rather illogical. We cannot expect peace when our people and their voices are suppressed,” he stated.