Police announce reward of Rs 1 lakh for info on blast
SHILLONG, March 10: The East Khasi Hills police on Sunday said the IED blast at Harijan Colony on Saturday was similar to those the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council claimed responsibility for in the past.
Neither the HNLC nor any other organisation has owned up to the Them Iew Mawlong or Harijan Colony blast.
The police registered an FIR at the Sadar Police Station to investigate the incident under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosive Substances Act.
The police also announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh to anyone giving credible information that leads to the arrest of any person involved in the act.
“The identity of the informant will be kept fully confidential. The information can be conveyed to the special cell of the police,” East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Rituraj Ravi said.
He said the crude IED or improvised explosive device was detonated in an abandoned CGI-sheet structure at the Syndicate Bus Stand of Mawlonghat’s Punjabi Lane.
“This is a terrorist act punishable under the UA(P)A and the Explosive Substances Act, and the individuals responsible for the blast committed an offence tantamount to waging war against the state,” Ravi said.
The SP said the IED was placed in a metal container. The impact of the blast, suspected to have been caused by gelatin sticks, damaged the CGI-sheet structure and the glass windows of adjacent buildings, he added.
“Talking about the capability or intent that any organisation or outfit would have, our suspicion naturally goes towards the HNLC,” the SP said even as he added that the outfit has not taken responsibility of the blast.
Former Meghalaya Ranji player Lakhan Singh Nahar sustained minor injuries in his leg from splinters generated by the blast.
Meanwhile, the situation in Harijan Colony remained tense after the IED blast. A sense of insecurity seemed to prevail although most of the shops were open, people moved as usual, and the believers attended church services in the locality on Sunday.
The police intensified security checks at the entry point on both ends of the road through the colony.
Harijan Panchayat Committee secretary Gurjit Singh told The Shillong Times that the residents were feeling scared after the blast but cannot afford to “overthink” as they have to work to feed their families.
“What happened yesterday should not happen again. Action must be taken against those responsible for the blast according to the provisions of the law,” he said.
Asked about the ongoing discussions with the state government over the proposed relocation, Singh said nothing has been finalised yet. “We will have to see how things are moving during our next meeting with the government representatives,” he added.
He said the state government has been giving the impression that it buckles under pressure from certain NGOs. “The government always backs out when we place our demands because of the pressure groups,” he said.
Singh said resolving any long-pending issue should be a two-way traffic and the government will have to fulfill their demands as there cannot be any settlement by listening to only one side.
“It is the responsibility of the government to examine and look into the demands of both parties. We have seen the pressure groups protest when the government considers our demand to provide us with land and assistance to construct our houses,” Singh said.
He said if the government can splurge on the Prime Minister’s visit to Meghalaya, it can very well fulfill the genuine demands of the Harijan Colony residents.
He, however, felt that the IED blast had no connection with the bid to reopen the road through the colony. He said the government can open the road from 6 am to 5 pm if it needs to.
Former state cricketer injured in blast
Former Meghalaya cricketer Lakhan Singh Nahar sustained injury on his right foot in view of the IED blast at the Syndicate Bus Stand near Them Iewmawlong on Saturday night.
Nahar had gone to dispose the garbage at the time when the blast had occurred. He was immediately rushed to Woodland Hospital for medical attention.
Speaking to The Shillong Times on Sunday, the former cricketer said he was lucky to have survived the impact of the blast.
Nahar said he has informed the members of the Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) about his injuries but is yet to get any help for his medical expenses.
According to him, the MCA members are likely to visit him on Monday.
Nahar had announced his retirement in January.
He made his debut against Mizoram in September 2020 and has represented Meghalaya in both U-19 and U-23 categories at BCCI sponsored events besides representing the state in the prestigious Ranji Trophy.