State firmly against militancy, door open for peace: Dhar
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 21: A total of four persons – two members of banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) and its two overground workers (OGWs) – were involved in the recent IED blast on the campus of Dhar Construction Company near Shymplong village, the East Jaintia Hills Police said on Sunday.
Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar said the HNLC cadres have been identified as Issei Sungoh and Smiki Tongper. They are absconding but the police managed to arrest the two OGWs – Richard Suchen (31) and Pynshaitbor Syih (45). He said efforts are on to nab the two HNLC cadres.
The SP said Sungoh was initially believed to be an OGW, but further investigation established that he is also a cadre of the outfit.
“The involvement of the two HNLC cadres in the blast was established on the basis of statements and identification by the other arrested accused,” Kumar said.
According to police records, Sungoh was arrested in 2023 in connection with an extortion case.
The SP further disclosed that Tongper is also an accused in the Khliehriat Women Police Station Case No. 45(09)23, registered under Section 376(3) of the IPC read with Sections 3(a) and 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The police recovered incriminating materials during a raid conducted at Tongper’s residence and compound. The items included three rolls of safety fuse, two small safety fuses, three detonators, six empty detonator caps, gunpowder, 82 small splinters, one country-made rifle, two Baofeng handsets, and five additional fuses.
The police said an FIR was lodged with the Lumshnong Police Station on December 16 in connection with the blast which occurred the day before. Subsequently, a case was registered under Sections 109(1), 113(1), 113(2), 113(3), 326(f) and 327(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, read with Section 3 of the Explosive Substances Act.
An examination of the site confirmed the use of explosive substances and IED. The blast had damaged a water tanker truck parked at the site.
State firmly against militancy: Dhar
The Meghalaya government on Sunday reiterated its firm stance against militancy, declaring that threats and violence by banned outfits will be dealt with strictly under the law, while maintaining that channels for peace talks remain open.
“The government will not tolerate any intimidation or threats from the banned HNLC. Such actions are purely criminal and will be met with a firm response,” Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said.
He commended the police for their swift action, noting that several persons have already been arrested in connection with the incident.
“We have full confidence in our law enforcement agencies to handle the case strictly as per the law,” he added.
Dhar also dismissed the HNLC’s allegations of extortion levelled against the construction company, describing the outfit’s statements as contradictory and lacking credibility. “We cannot take such inconsistent claims at face value,” he stated.
While asserting the state government’s resolve to combat terrorism and anti-social elements, Dhar urged citizens, especially the youth, not to succumb to fear.
At the same time, Dhar emphasised that the door for dialogue remains open in the interest of lasting peace.
Concluding his statement, Dhar reiterated that the government’s primary focus is on development and public welfare, and it will not allow any attempts to create fear or disrupt harmony in the state.
