SHILLONG: In the wake of reports that the looting of a petrol pump at Mawsynram could have been the handiwork of HNLC militants, the State Police is now under added pressure to tackle the dual matter of addressing the issue and handling the current volatile situation in the city.
It is suspected that the HNLC men could have attempted to take advantage of the police deployment in Shillong by sneaking into Mawsynram from neighbouring Bangladesh and engaging in the looting case.
It may be reminded that suspected militants, armed with AK 47 rifles and 9mm pistols, had robbed Rs 52,000 from a petrol pump at Mawsynram on Tuesday. Manager of the petrol pump Sanjay Sharma had sustained injuries on his leg.
“Though we suspect the HNLC cadres to be involved in the crime we are yet to ascertain their identity,” East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police M Kharkrang said.
What is adding to the problem of the police is that the State intelligence agencies did not have any clue on the sudden attack by the militants.
The HNLC had been dormant for a long time with not even a single case of extortion or kidnapping involving the HNLC being reported from anywhere, prompting the State Police to claim that the once-dreaded outfit had been neutralized.