The banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has strongly denied that the two individuals arrested by Meghalaya Police in connection with the December 15 IED blast at the Dhar Company premises in Shymplong, East Jaintia Hills, are its cadres.
The IED explosion, which occurred on the night of December 15, damaged a water tanker but did not result in any injuries. Following the incident, police arrested two Shymplong residents — Richard Suchen (31) and Pynshaitbor Syih (45) — claiming their involvement in the attack.
However, in a statement issued on Monday, HNLC general secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw refuted the police claims, stating that the arrested individuals are not members of the outfit. He further alleged that the items reportedly seized by the police belonged to the police themselves.
Nongtraw asserted that all HNLC cadres involved in the December 15 IED attack have already returned to their camp. Questioning the police action, he asked why authorities allegedly picked up the wife of a hardcore HNLC cadre, Emanuel Suchen alias Shwa, if they were confident about the arrests made.
Accusing the police of targeting family members of HNLC cadres, Nongtraw said that the outfit has never harassed the families of ministers or police officials, yet law enforcement continues to disturb the families of its members. He urged the police to stop such actions, stating that the HNLC has adopted new operational strategies.
The outfit also criticised the police for allegedly attempting to tarnish its image by linking a POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) accused to the IED blast incident.
On the extent of damage caused by the explosion, Nongtraw claimed that six out of twenty vehicles were damaged, including two oil tankers, and alleged that the police concealed the incident for three days.
Meanwhile, police sources maintained that the investigation is ongoing and that the arrests were made based on credible evidence linking the suspects to the IED attack.