SHILLONG: Two persons from Art of Living were arrested in west Jaintia Hills when they were heading to Sylhet in Bangladesh to meet top members of banned outfit Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC).
West Jaintia Hills SP Vivek Syiem said acting on intelligence inputs, two persons identified as Khroo Lamsalanki Pariat (39) of Iawmusiang Jowai and Samir Jolly (44) of Noida were intercepted at Dawki police check post on Monday afternoon.
The duo’s meeting with HNLC leaders was scheduled for Tuesday.
According to Syiem, the two at first did not disclose their purpose until further interrogation was made where it was clearly ascertained that they were in close communication with members of HNLC through its ‘publicity secretary’ Sainkupar Nongtraw and other top cadres.
The arrested persons claimed that their intention was to meet top members of HNLC through Art of Living to have talks so that they come to the mainstream.
But police said the persons did not have any mandate or authorisation by the state to hold parleys with a banned organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and hence their motive to visit Bangladesh “is suspicious with an ulterior motive which merits crucial investigation”.
A case at Dawki police station has been registered against the arrested persons and HNLC leaders.
Pariat and Jolly were produced in the Jowai district court for custodial remand.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued on Tuesday, Art of Living said, “Our senior faculty Samir Jolly, accompanied by Khroo Lamsalanki Pariat, was on a peace mission to establish contact with the misguided youths who are operating in the area and convince them to eschew violence and join the mainstream.”
It further said similar intervention of the Art of Living had led to the recent homecoming of 68 militants in Manipur.
“The Art of Living has also trained and rehabilitated hundreds of ULFA cadres and Manipur-based outfits who have laid down their arms,” it added.
