SHILLONG, May 16: A day after the proscribed HNLC threatened to blow up the High Court and the Secretariat, the East Khasi Hills district police are on high alert and are taking every precaution to prevent loss of lives and property even as they maintained that the police is keeping a keen eye on major locations marked ‘code red’.
Speaking to TNT-The Northeast Today here on Monday, EKH Superintendent of Police (City) Vivek Syiem said that the police are well aware of the threats and are setting up intelligence in every risky places (locations withheld on security matter).
It may be reminded that the HNLC issued a statement to the media on May 15 stating that the prime target is high court and secretariat even as they divulged that the HNLC is adopting a strategy to attack public-oriented locales to create a major impact and to send a message to the government as well as the public.
It may be mentioned that for the past few days, heavy checking were spotted in several parts of the city, the same of which had result in the arrest of two HNLC cadres and one ULFA cadre along with arms and ammunitions.
“SOTs are carrying out intensive patrolling and all Police Units were alerted and Police check Points were placed all over the city. Investigation is on to ascertain the extent of their (HNLC) activities and their linkages with over ground elements,” Syiem said.
According to the statement issued by the HNLC Publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw, the arrest of their cadres and an ULFA cadre is a huge loss to the outfit, but claimed that the outfit is ready to strike back with a stronger force.
Maintaining that the recent arrests has probably triggered the egos of the remaining few HNLC cadres, Syiem said that the efforts of the police to apprehend more cadres operating in the city and foil every attempts planned by the HNLC will continue. “The police will leave no stone unturned,” he added.
As pointed out in the statement that the HNLC is working in close tandem with other NE militant groups, the question on the current strength of the outfit and the frequent movement and procurement of weapons across the border is a concern for many. However, Syiem maintained that the strength of HNLC has dwindled even as he observed that “The strength of outfit is not a matter of concern. The police are keeping a keen eye on their activities and we will foil every attempt as we have done in the past.”
In as far as the movement of cadres and weapons is concerned; Syiem said that the police is keeping a close watch on the border areas while maintaining that with the number of activities being carried out in the city, the HNLC have possibly crossed over and are currently camping in the state.
With the arrest of the recent HNLC cadres and an ULFA cadre, “We are certain that they (HNLC) are using the help of other militant groups”.
As their envy turned green, the HNLC clearly pointed out in its statement that the government under the leadership of chief minister, Dr Mukul Sangma is sidelining the HNLC while it has inked an agreement with the GNLA. “We have been offering for peace talks since 2015, but it seems the government and the state police are turning a deaf ear to our offer,” the statement read.
Stating that the HNLC will launch a major strike in the capital city, the outfit said that the blame for loss of lives will solely rest with the government under chief minister Dr Mukul Sangma.
It may be mentioned that the HNLC activeness came weeks before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Shillong. When asked whether their threat was a message to Modi, Syiem ruled out the statement stating “Their action is a desperate attempts to get what they want.”
While calling upon the public to cooperate with the police, Syiem said “We are putting in all efforts to ensure the safety of the people but we also need the cooperation of the public,” even as he referred to the Friday’s incident when daily life of the people were disrupted due to intense operation in the city, Syiem said “Inconveniences will be caused and we want the people should bear with us.”
(TNT News)
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