By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 23: The police on Saturday arrested the fourth suspect in connection with the recent IED blast at Them Iew Mawlong in Shillong.
The person was identified as Sansharbha Makdoh (24) from Umroi, Ri-Bhoi. Earlier, the Ri-Bhoi Police had arrested two persons. The third – the prime suspect – was arrested from Mairang.
The outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) had claimed responsibility for the blast.
Ri-Bhoi Superintendent of Police Jagpal Singh Dhanoa said during the course of interrogation of the two suspects, it came to light that the HNLC is indulging in brainwashing innocent youth by unleashing a vicious propaganda with an objective to keep its extortion business running.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Rituraj Ravi said the probe into the case is still on. He said during investigation, the police learnt that the HNLC is using new ways to contact and lure youths to commit illegal activities.
Advising the youth not to fall into its trap, he said the police are fully equipped to deal with whatever technology that the outfit is using.
Govt promises strong action
A day after the HNLC issued a fresh threat, the state government on Saturday said it will not leave anything to chance and take strong action.
“The police have been very active. A lot of arrests have been made and a lot of threats neutralised. The police are working overtime to ensure that strong action is taken against all those involved in these activities of disturbing peace and law and order,” Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said.
“We had a security review meeting with the Deputy Chief Minister in-charge of Home, the Director General of Police and the Chief Secretary. We discussed the different situations,” he said, adding, “We are on the job to ensure that action is taken against anyone trying to disrupt peace.”
The HNLC had on Friday said the police officer responsible for the killing of its former leader Cheristerfield Thangkhiew will have to face the consequences.
In a statement, the outfit said Thangkhiew’s killing in a “staged encounter” is believed to have been a political conspiracy involving certain ministers of the MDA government.
“We have identified the person responsible for Bah Che’s (Cheristerfield) death…The repeated lies and efforts of the police to hide the truth are evident, oblivious to the fact that trying to bury the truth only postpones its eventual exposure,” the HNLC had said.