UMSNING: The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has claimed responsibility for the improvised explosive device (IED) discovered at the residence of former MLA Nehlang Lyngdoh in Umsning, Ri Bhoi District.
A bag of explosive (IED) was recovered on October 11 evening at the residence of former MLA Nehlang Lyngdoh in Umsning. The bomb was safely detected and diffused by the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) before it could cause any damage. No casualties or injuries were reported.
In a statement sent to the media today, the outfit described the act as a “symbolic protest” against what it alleged to be corruption and the “betrayal of the Jaitbynriew” by certain politicians and businessmen. The group accused sections of the political class of working against the interests of indigenous people.
“The HNLC issues this statement to remind all present and former elected representatives that the trust of the Jaitbynriew is not a privilege to be sold or traded. The duty of every leader is to protect the land, resources, and identity of our people not to compromise them for personal or political gain,” the press communique read.
The HNLC also listed the number of IEDs planted in previous years. It stated that in 2004, they planted an IED at the SP office in Shillong, leaving it undetonated and in 2021, they executed a similar operation at the Khliehriat police reserve, resulting in deaths and casualties among the police.
Authorities have not yet verified the authenticity of the statement. Security agencies have launched an investigation into the incident and are reviewing possible links to the outfit’s past activities.
The recovery of the IED has raised fresh concerns about renewed militant attempts to instill fear in the region after a period of relative calm. Additional security measures have been put in place in Ri Bhoi and other sensitive areas.
