SHILLONG : Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home Prestone Tynsong on Thursday urged businessmen and traders receiving extortion demands from the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) to immediately inform the police or government authorities, assuring that strict action would be taken against those involved.
Speaking to reporters, Tynsong said the government had already discussed the issue internally and appealed to the public not to remain silent after receiving such threats.
“I saw the report and recently we have also discussed this. My only humble request to those who receive such messages, please do not hesitate to come, file FIR, or inform us, even inform me, we are here to track it out,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the government is committed to ensuring that businesses in Meghalaya can operate peacefully and safely without fear.
“We are here to make sure that everybody is safe and everybody is doing business peacefully. Therefore, any such kind of message, if they receive, I would request them to kindly send it to the police station, police outpost or even to the district police headquarters,” he added.
Reacting to concerns over delays in reporting extortion notes, Tynsong said authorities cannot always act immediately if information is not shared in time.
“You don’t know, what if the message was received two or three weeks back and they kept it without informing us until it came out in public,” he said.
He clarified that while suo motu action is a separate matter, cooperation from affected individuals is essential for effective law enforcement.
“What I am saying is that those concerned stakeholders, in case they receive such messages, I request all of them not to hesitate and bring it to the notice of the government and action will be taken accordingly,” he stated.
Seeking to reassure citizens and the business community, Tynsong urged people not to panic or fear militant threats.
“I would like to request the citizens of the state, don’t be scared, we are there. But in case you don’t share such information with us, again we will have problems,” he said.
“Kindly don’t be scared, be it HNLC, be it thieves or any crooks or criminals, please don’t be scared. We are there, we are firm and we will deal with them very firmly,” the Deputy Chief Minister added.