Police bust HNLC sleeper cell in Ri-Bhoi, three held

NONGPOH, June 11: In a significant breakthrough, Ri-Bhoi Police has successfully dismantled a sleeper cell of the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) operating in the Mawhati-Umroi area of Ri-Bhoi and the state capital. This operation comes in the wake of several extortion and demand notes served to individuals by the insurgent group.
According to Ri-Bhoi Superintendent of Police, Jagpal Singh Dhanoa the sleeper cell was led by senior HNLC cadre Cyfrank Paul Pariat of Ummat village.
Pariat, along with his associates, had issued multiple demand notes on behalf of the HNLC, coercing individuals to pay extortion money under the threat of severe consequences.
A meticulously planned joint operation was launched on Monday, resulting in the arrest of three key figures. The arrested individuals include Cyfrank Paul Pariat (25) from Ummat village, who is described as a self-styled commander of the HNLC; Kitbok Mujai (23) also from Ummat village, and Barnabas Lyngdoh (49) from Khyndewsoo village.
These arrests reveal that the trio was involved in the recruitment, financing, and propaganda activities for the HNLC, a proscribed organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). It has been uncovered that they had travelled to Bangladesh last year for training purposes.
A case was registered at the Umiam police station under case number 46(06)2024, invoking  sections 120B/306 of the Indian Penal Code, along with sections 10/13/17/18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The police have intensified their investigation to identify and apprehend additional members or associates linked to the HNLC network.
Dhanoa issued a general appeal to the public, urging them not to succumb to any illegal demands from the HNLC and to report any such illegal activities or contacts to the police immediately.