Shillong (Meghalaya), Dec 22: In a major breakthrough, the East Jaintia Hills district police have arrested four individuals, including two militants from the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), in connection with the recent IED blast at a construction company campus in Shymplong village, owned by Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar. The blast, which occurred on December 15, damaged a water tanker but fortunately caused no casualties.
Sources close to the investigation revealed that the arrested individuals include Richard Suchen (31) and Pynshaitbor Syih (45), who are overground workers, and two HNLC militants, Issei Sungoh and Smiki Tongper, with the latter currently at large. Tongper is also wanted in a separate POCSO case.
“Investigation so far has revealed that Tongper and Sungoh planned and executed the blast in coordination with the two arrested accused,” said East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar.
The HNLC has claimed responsibility for the attack, citing Dhar’s alleged refusal to meet extortion demands. However, Dhar has dismissed these claims as contradictory and baseless.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has warned the HNLC that such unlawful activities will not be tolerated. “The police have made a very strong case, they have enough information and full evidence… Action has been taken, the police have been very swift, and those behind it will definitely be picked up,” Sangma stated.
The police have recovered incriminating evidence, including safety fuses, detonators, gunpowder, and a country-made rifle, from Tongper’s residence.
