Shillong (Meghalaya), March 14: The Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC ) claimed responsibility IED blast at Them Iew Mawlong or Harijan Colony on March 9 .
In a statement today, Saińkupar Nongtraw the General secretary cum Publicity secretary of HNLC said that the Budnar Shadow Squad , which operates as the special forces of the banned militant outfit Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has claimed responsibility for the IED blast at Syndicate Bus Station near Them Mator, Them Ïewmawlong on March 9.
The statement also demanded the withdrawal of CRPF personnel who have been deputed for security at Them Mator to ensure the freedom of movement of local people. This comes after vehicles were disallowed to pass through the area since the violence erupted in 2019.
The statement said, “Due to the long-standing negligence of the Meghalaya government in relocating the Harijans from this area, we have no choice but to resort to military action.”
Nongthraw added,“The MDA government and the police department were shocked to discover that our team was able to commit such an act in a high-security area. We did not intend to harm civilians or innocent lives, hence our restraint.”
The statement further added, “This serves as a gentle reminder that if the government fails to protect our community, we may see Hynñiewtrep descend into civil war. Any community that poses a threat to Hynniewtrep will be dealt with firmly. The government must relocate them within one month or face the consequences.”
On March 9, at around 10:30 PM, a crude Improvised Explosive Device (lED) was detonated in an uninhabited and abandoned CGI sheet structure at Syndicate Bus Stand, Punjabi Lane at Mawlonghat here.The IED was placed inside a metal container. One passerby who was later identified as Lakhan Singh sustained minor injuries in his leg due to splinters generated by the blast.
