Shillong, Jan 31: Meghalaya Police have claimed to have apprehended the self-styled ‘area commander’ of the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) of Shillong Region for his involvement in triggering an IED blast in Khyndai Lad (Police Bazar) area in the city on Sunday evening.
In a statement, the SP of the East Khasi Hills district Police, Sylvester Nongtnger informed that the militant leader had been detained within few hours of the blast for his suspected involvement.
Police also recovered a crude IED from the residence of a relative the HNLC militant located at Nongthymmai following interrogation of the ultra.
The crude IED was subsequently defused in presence of independent witnesses.
Meanwhile, the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has claimed responsibility for the IED blast at Khyndai Lad yesterday evening..
The HNLC claimed that the blast was carried out near Delhi Mistan because of non-payment of taxes by the shopkeepers to the outfit.