SHILLONG: With the HNLC threatening to arm KSU activists with IEDs in the wake of crackdown on the arsonists, the State police have started zeroing in on the activities of HNLC members and their sympathisers.
The statement of HNLC publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw on Monday shocked a number of residents in Shillong as there was semblance of peace over the last many years in parts of the city.
Citing the crackdown on KSU activists by police after the protests against railway, Nongtraw had said that the State Government has created a Kashmir-like situation in Meghalaya and that it would lead to more rebellion.
Some residents were also surprised by the statement of the publicity secretary as to what will happen if HNLC gets in touch with the youths and supply them with IEDs.
The statement of HNLC comes in the wake of attack on railway property on May 27 by agitators led by KSU and torching of organic tea processing plant at Umsning on June 1 night.
There was a series of arson cases in East Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi districts. The number of persons arrested in connection with the crime in East Khasi Hills is 11.
When contacted, police authorities declined to comment on the statement given by the HNLC publicity secretary.
However, according to sources, police are keeping a vigil on the activities of HNLC, their contacts in Khasi and Jaintia Hills and Ri Bhoi buoyed by the recent surrender of young HNLC cadres, Shibormi Suchen and Da E Miki Shadong, on June 5 from Lakadong village of East Janitia Hills and a senior cadre Cambest Syad on May 9.
Cadres spill the beans
The surrendered cadres have revealed a lot of information to police and it is believed that police are keeping certain individuals in Shillong, Sohra and border areas under surveillance.
These persons, according to police sources, are in contact with HNLC members based in Islapunji, Puthisara, Singur, Nunsara and adjoining areas of Moulvibazar district in Bangladesh.
Syad is a senior cadre of the 2002 batch and he was reportedly liaising with other militant outfits in Bangladesh.
Meghalaya police is jubilant over the recent breakthrough in the kidnapping case of Dajied Kynshai Syiemlieh by a criminal gang from Bangladesh.
He was rescued by Bangladesh police at Koichanda village in Nalitabari police station under Sherpur district of Bangladesh and Meghalaya police expects more results from the efforts which the Bangladesh Government and the police are making to wipe out militants from the neighbouring country.
Crackdown on militants
There are reports that the hideouts of ULF A (I) group have also been raided by Bangladesh police and it is due to this reason that Drishti Rajkhowa, the self-styled Deputy Commander-in-Chief of ULF A (I) has been forced to leave Bangladesh and take shelter in Garo Hills.
Meghalaya police expect similar kind of action against HNLC in the coming days.
