From a Correspondent

SHILLONG, July 29: Members of three NGOs of Jaintia Hills-Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM), Hynniewtrep National People’s Front (HNPF) and West Jaintia Co-ordination Committee (WJCC) - were detained by the Assam Police on Saturday. According to reports, members of these NGOs had gone to Khanduli to inquire into reports that the Assam Police men had collected money from vehicles plying in the border area. While members of these NGOs were trying to ascertain complaints from local people of the area that Assam Police personnel were involved in collecting money from vehicles plying in the border area, the members were arrested by the Assam Police.  The four activists of the HANM arrested by Assam Police were subsequently released. However, later on Saturday night, the Assam Police detained the president of Hynniewtrep National People’s Front (HNPF), Jaintia Hills unit, Lonely Laloo. On Sunday, HANM president Lamphrang Kharbani informed that Laloo was still under Assam police custody. “Till today, Laloo is still under Assam police custody. We demand his immediate release,” Kharbani said.