SHILLONG, Jan 31: The police nabbed two suspects, including a juvenile, for their alleged involvement in Sunday’s IED blast in Shillong.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Sylvester Nongtnger said the IED was detonated at the entrance of the Centre Point building in Police Bazar. The explosion damaged the wall, windowpanes and signage of the shops in the commercial complex.
The SP said within hours since the incident, the police had detained the juvenile hailing from Demthring area and during interrogation, he admitted to his involvement. He claimed he is the “area commander” of Shillong Region of banned insurgent outfit Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council.
Based on the leads provided by him, later a crude IED was recovered from the residence of his relatives and defused.
The second suspect was picked up from Nongstoin in West Khasi Hills for questioning in connection with the blast.
The police registered a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Explosive Substances Act.
Home Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui has assured that the people involved in the blast will be treated as criminals and investigation will be carried out as per the law of the land.
He confirmed that nobody was injured and praised the police for identifying and arresting the suspects in quick time.
“Whoever they are, the people who committed the crime will be treated as criminals and arrested,” the Home Minister said.
He said the CCTV cameras, installed at many vulnerable areas in the city, have been helpful in identifying criminals. He dismissed allegation about intelligence failure.
“Had there been an intelligence failure, the police would not have been able to nab the culprits within a few hours,” he said, adding many individuals are on the radar of the police.
He lauded the city denizens for sharing information with the police and said this will go a long way in combating crimes.
Uneasy calm
An uneasy calm prevailed in Police Bazar on Monday. Shops near the blast site remained closed in the morning hours. People were seen moving around the area since the afternoon when the shops started opening.
The explosion occurred outside the Shillong Wine Store and the manager of the outlet told reporters the damages were being assessed. He said there was not much of damage caused to the shops. The police collected the CCTV footage for investigation, he added.
Kailash Verma, owner of Delhi Mistan Bhandar, said it was only after some time that he realized it was a bomb blast. Initially, he thought it was a thunderbolt.
He said the response from the police and the civil administration was impressive but lamented that despite being located in the heart of the city, the Police Bazar does not have street lights.