HNLC exploited unemployed and less educated youths for their unlawful activities: Tongper

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 30, 2021

“Taking advantage of his simplicity, innocence and economic situation, the HNLC lured me to join the banned outfit and exploited me for their unlawful activity and malafide intention,” said Junel Tongper on Thursday.

Tongper disclosed after surrendering before Inderjit Singh Rana, IG BSF Meghalaya Frontier at Border Outpost Umkiang, East Jaintia Hills District.

According to a press communique issued by BSF, the surrendered cadre was deployed as an area commander in East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya and he belonged to Lumphyllut village, East Jaintia Hills. He joined the outfit in the year 2010 and after training, he was actively working for the outfit. He was apprehended by Meghalaya police in 2015, but later released on bail and absconded. He re-joined the outfit in Nov 2020 and was based at Panaipunjee under PS Kulaura of Moulvibazar district in Bangladesh.

Tongper informed that he is one such victim who was misled and misguided by the banned outfit HNLC among other unemployed and less educated youths.

BSF Meghalaya is putting in all out efforts to help such misguided youths to join the mainstream. BSF also assures to provide such youths the facilities of skill development & vocational training and remunerative amount post surrender.

“In case of Junel Tongper, BSF was continuously in touch with him since last 1 year. The restless and intense efforts of BSF bore the fruits and finally Junel Tongper was motivated to join the mainstream. The family members of the cadre expressed their gratitude towards BSF on homecoming of Junel Tongper.

Inspector General Ftr HQ BSF Meghalaya said that insurgency and militancy gets opportunities to prevail due to illiteracy and unemployment. He urged the local population, village heads to work hand in hand with BSF to eradicate these evils. IG BSF further said that BSF is continuously encouraging the youths of bordering areas to pursue their career in defence and CAPF services and lead a life of peace, tranquillity and prosperity.

BSF IG also felicitated and handed cash Rs 2.5 lakh to Tongper during the ceremony attended by his parents and relatives.

Also present were East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police Jagpal Singh, headman and church leaders.