HNLC on total shutdown

SHILLONG, MAY 12: Banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) said the shutdown call given by the outfit in all state and central government establishments was to demand that the state police stop arresting ngos and pressure group leaders just on the pretext and suspicion of having links with the council.

HNLC publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said on Monday, “Our stand by calling the shutdown is to oppose the arrest of the leaders of the pressure groups and ngos by the police on the pretext of suspecting them of having links with the council.”

The HNLC had called a four-day shutdown of all state and central government offices on May 8, 9, 12 and 13 demanding unconditional release of the president of the Hynniewtrep National Achik Movement (HANM) Lamphrang Kharbani and four others arrested by the police for their alleged nexus with the outfit.

However, the shutdown on the two days – May 8 and 9 failed evoke any response in Khasi-Jaintia hills in which all state and central government offices and financial institutions functioned normally with none preventing the employees from attending their duty.

Nongtraw said in a statement, “The arrest of the top NGO leader and 4 others was a planned one and the police have not yet obtained any proof, nor any statement from the arrested regarding their links with the council.”

Stating that earlier the police department had claimed that the Kharbani was on his way back from Bangladesh on May 11 and he had gone to hand over money to the council leaders in Bangladesh, Nongtraw questioned, “The statements itself contradicts as to whether he was returning or going to Bangladesh.”

The police had also seized demand notes printed under the letter head of the HNLC from Kharbani’s possession.

Nongtraw questioned that if he (Kharbani) had returned back from Bangladesh then how come the money was still with him, and why would he carry along an expired letterheads of the council.

Nongtraw said, “This itself proves the arrest was orchestrated and the police department would carry on implicating NGO leaders in various cases in order to weaken their stand to speak out and fight against this corrupt political system.”

Nongtraw also claimed that the 14 days police custody of the four arrested also indicates that they will be tortured, harassed and forced to give false statements.

Rubbishing the government official report that shutdown called by the HNLC failed, Nongtraw said, “Many central and state department offices were kept open but chairs and room were empty due to the absence of its employees who responded to the shutdown of the council.”

Nongtraw said the council believes that the ratio of office goers, due to the pressure of the government, were 45% and the other 55% had supported the shutdown called by the council. He said,“The ratio in Jaintia hills and West Khasi hills were 40% present and 60% absent. The traffic jams in the city were also created by numerous check gates placed by the police department across the city.”- By Our Reporter