SHILLONG: The banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has threatened to back the agitation against the railway project in Ri Bhoi by providing improvised explosive devises to the Khasi Students’ Union.
In a statement issued by HNLC, the outfit’s publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said the State Government has created a Kashmir-like situation in Meghalaya by cracking down on student activists but it would lead to more rebellion.
Several KSU members, including two leaders, are in prison in connection with the May 27 violence at the project site.
Demanding release of the KSU members, the HNLC leader said many youths have approached the outfit for logistics support and “sooner or later we shall be bound to help them”.
“This kind of collateral damage will worsen the situation. Now the region is witnessing only petrol bombs (attacks), what will happen if HNLC gets in touch with the youths and supply them with IEDs,” he said, adding, “We do not want to invite youths to join HNLC but we can support them to intensify their struggle. It is not too hard to supply them with 35-40 kg IEDs. But by doing so, the entire region will suffer. We need peace and prosperity but the police need violence”.
Asserting that the ILP issue was spearheaded by 13 pressure groups, the outfit questioned the government on the victimisation of one organisation by the police department.
In the last few weeks, the State has witnessed many arson cases in East Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi districts which led to the arrests of the KSU members.
Tribute to Khaplang
HNLC also offered its condolences to S.S Khaplang, the chairman of the underground Naga rebel group Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim (Khaplang), who passed away in Myanmar saying “Baba was a visionary leader of the North East who was instrumental in fighting for the sovereignty of the Nagas”.
Stating that they had met him in several instances at the NSCN (K) camps, the outfit recalled that he always welcomed the HNLC members and provided valuable suggestions and support.
“His death is a loss to the Naga cause. We have great amount of respect for Baba,” Nongtraw added.