From Our Correspondent
JOWAI: A newly-formed militant outfit, Hynniewtrep People’s Liberation Front (HPLF), has reportedly been floated in Khasi-Jaintia Hills districts.
Sources informed that the HPLF has been formed by certain surrendered HNLC members.
Sources also informed that the outfit is being led by Joplang Lyngdoh as the ‘chairman’, Thrang Marwein as ‘general secretary’ and DL Sawkmie as ‘information secretary’.
Sources also alleged that the group is recruiting new members from all over Khasi and Jaintia Hills districts.
Presently, the extremist group boasts of a strength of about 25 to 30 members.
According to sources, the group is in possession of various weapons including one AK-56 rifle, over ten .9mm pistols, five revolvers (.38 caliber), hand grenades and others.
“The chairman, secretary and information secretary have recently met GNLA area commander, West Khasi Hills, Savio Marak with a request for support for their group,” sources further informed.
“The HLPF is seeking help from Savio Marak to assist them in organising arms and also training for the newly recruited members of the outfit,” a source said, adding that in return, the HPLF would assist GNLA in its operations and also share 50 per cent of its ‘earnings’.
Sources also informed that the organisation orginated in Mawsynram area of West Khasi Hills and is operating all over Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
“We strongly suspected that HPLF cadres were involved in the abduction of two coal traders from Latyrke village, Jaintia hills district, whose bodies were recovered recently,” said an NGO leader from Jaintia Hills.
Sources also alleged that to strengthen the outfit, extortion drives are being carried out in Khliehriat and Dawki in Jaintia Hills and Borsora and Shallang in West Khasi Hills.
