Police on high alert on HNLC regrouping attempts

SHILLONG: Following the arrest of five Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) cadres in Karbi Anglong district of Assam, a team of officers from East Khasi Hills District would leave for Karbi Anglong on Friday to quiz the arrested militants.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, East Khasi Hills SP Davis Marak said that the police team from the District would carry out a basic interrogation of the five arrested cadres in Karbi Anglong.
“If they are wanted in any of our cases, we will bring them here for necessary action,” Marak said.
On being asked if the HNLC is expanding its activities to other neighbouring states, Marak said that it is a possibility but he would no be able to comment on the matter until the four cadres are interrogated.
He however said that there is no report of the banned HNLC regrouping in East Khasi Hills and added that their firepower, weaponry and activities have remained more or less the same.
However, the District police is concerned about HNLC having links with other banned outfits of Assam and said that police would try to unravel such links, if there are any.
The District Police chief also added that the HNLC had made stray attempts to extort money from certain individuals and police is taking action against them.
As per the confessions of the surrendered HNLC cadres, the manpower of the outfit today is less than 30 cadres.
Marak also added that there were inputs about Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council attempting to indulge in mischief during this year’s Independence Day celebration and accordingly, police conducted strict checks and intensified security in the district.
“We are taking everything related to militancy very seriously and we are on the job,” the District Police Chief said.