HNLC slams police for arresting militants' kin

From OUR Reporter
SHILLONG, March 6: The Hynniewtrep tiol Liberation Council (HNLC) has alleged that the Meghalaya Police has intentiolly targeting the family members of the HNLC. HNLC publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw in a statement on Sunday said, “This has become clear after the arrest of W. Diengdoh sister of Assistant Defense Secretary of the HNLC. Every family member of the HNLC cadres has a right to communicate with them, either on phone or other means of communication.” He alleged that the police in the past had used the same tactics to arrest family members of the HNLC. “The Police Department had always harassed innocent family members of the HNLC and just communicating with ones brother doesn’t make her an over ground worker of the outfit,” he said. He further alleged that at a time when the HNLC are mulling to give up arms struggle, the police tried to provoke them so that they retaliate and bring an end to the ongoing peace process. Stating that in the past many NGO leaders were arrested for alleged links with HNLC, he questioned, “Why are the Police silent on the politician-militant nexus? Can they dare to arrest politicians from Garo Hills having nexus with militant outfits?” He said that the HNLC has stopped new recruitments and has shifted their base camps from Bangladesh to other countries. “The Police dept is compelling us to use our IEDs against them and we think it’s time for us to really show our strength.  Once we start detoting our IED, the police shall be responsible for that.” he said.