Police to leave for Assam today
ARREST OF HNLC CADRES
From A Reporter
SHILLONG, Sept 21: A day after troops of the Indian Army’s Red Horn Division under the Gajraj Corps apprehended five HNLC cadres from West Karbi Anglong district of Assam, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police (SP) Davis N Marak said on Thursday that a police team will be dispatched to Assam.
It may be reminded that the army troops carried out a successful Joint operation along with Assam Police, wherein a terrorist hideout was busted. “We had received information that some HNLC cadres were apprehended by the army and we will be sending a team to Karbi Anglong in Assam on Friday to ascertain whether these people are wanted in any of our cases,” Marak said.
He said they will be interrogated and, if found that they are wanted by Meghalaya Police for committing various crimes, they will be brought back to the State.
He said, “A team from Jaintia Hills has already proceeded to Assam today.”
It may be noted that during the operation on Tuesday, huge cache of arms comprising two G3 rifles, one factory made .303 rifle, one 7.62 mm factory made pistol, one factory made single barrel gun, 10 kg explosives, 40 detotors, 66 live roads and other warlike stores were recovered. “We will have to look into the possibility of any militant group currently in peace talks or ceasefire with the government giving HNLC the arms,” the SP said.
When asked whether the banned HNLC is expanding its wings to other neighbouring States in light of the arrest of its cadres in Assam, Marak said, “It is a possibility, but as far as East Khasi Hills is concerned we have no reports of any expansion by the outfit in the district.”
The SP further said police will be investigating the case from all angles to ascertain whether the outfit in question has any links with other militant groups of Assam.
Asked on the cadre strength of the HNLC at present, he said, “As per the last inputs received by us, the outfits has around 20-30 cadres.”
The district police chief also said a few attempts were made by the HNLC to extort money from certain individuals and police are taking action against them.
Marak informed the media that there were inputs about HNLC trying to do some mischief during this year’s Independence Day celebrations and accordingly police conducted checking and security was intensified, which thwarted their “evil designs”.