SHILLONG, AUG 3: The banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) on Sunday accused the Meghalaya police for trying to provoke the outfit into killings and kidnappings as it claimed that it had enough contributors including “politicians” who are contributing to its exchequer.
The HNLC statement came after the police claimed that the HNLC has adopted a new method of raising funds by using their handful of ‘sympathizers’ while they decide to stay back in Bangladesh to avoid arrest.
On July 28, three persons identified as HNLC sympathizers were arrested by the police before they could abduct an 18 years old boy, who is reportedly a son of big business tycoon from the city.
“By making such rubbish statements, the police is trying to provoke the HNLC to execute killings and kidnappings. If the HNLC starts then it will not spare any businessman or politicians. The police department is adding fuel to fire,” HNLC publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said in a statement on Sunday.
Stating that the reported plan of abduction was not carried out by over ground cadres, Nongtraw said, “The three youths arrested by the police department were in no way associated with the HNLC.”
Claiming that the HNLC had investigated into the reported attempt to kidnap, Nongtraw questioned, “Why are the police reluctant to provide the names? Were they scared of the HNLC? If so then why do they claim that the council is toothless?
“If it was a real kidnapping plan then the victim would have not reached hospital on the first instance,” Nongtraw asserted. According to him the claim of the police proves beyond doubt that there is a hidden agenda and a conspiracy to defame the HNLC.
The HNLC also expressed shocked that the police blamed Hep Metal for the abduction.
“The motive of the police in not naming the victim and his father has pointed the needle of suspicion towards the police department itself, as the same kind of incident had happened in Garo hills where a branch manager of a nationalized bank was kidnapped,” Nongtraw said adding “The claims of the police department about the three youths being the over ground members of the HNLC has no feet to stand upon.”
Stating that the HNLC was involved in kidnappings during the 90’s and were very much successful in their attempts, Nongtraw said, “Even now if the council desires it could kidnap many high- profile people and political big wigs but the council stands by its own principles.”
Terming the revelation made by the police over the poor financial position of the outfit as the ‘same old story since long ago’, Nongtraw said, “The HNLC has its dedicated contributors from the non tribal as well as the tribal community including politicians who have been contributing for the councils cause.”
Nongtraw said the ban on coal will not affect the HNLC as the outfit has its reliable sources of income adding its cadres are well trained to fight as well as to sustain themselves in times of emergency. He said, “Our cadres are also gifted with the dignity of labour.”
Pointing out the scenario in Garo Hills region where even petty traders and drivers are not spared, Nongtraw said, “We can also practice the same here but the HNLC also believes in its principles and human values.”
Reminding that the HNLC on the August 14 last year, had expressed its willingness to come forward for unconditional peace talks with the government, Nongtraw said,“But till date the Government of Meghalaya had not initiated any kind of communications which is seen as a clear cut indication that the GOM is anticipating more bloodshed and instigating the HNLC to further intensify our armed struggle.”
While pointing out that the VDP and informers are also the over ground workers of the police department who are being used to pass on information, Nongtraw said, “The HNLC does not rely on the KSU FKJGP, HNYF or any other individuals to carry on its cause, especially when it comes to the execution of its programs and operations.”
Stating that the police department is aware that HNLC is against the NGT ban, Nongtraw said, “This allegation made by the police is just a step to confuse the public about the motives of the HNLC.”
Nongtraw, however, said that the HNLC will intensify its stand on the NGT ban as the livelihood of the people is more important to the outfit than anything else adding no government or tribunal can deprive the rights of the indigenous people.
According to Nongtraw, imposition of the ban tantamount to strangulating the people to death as this has badly hit the economy and livelihood. He reiterated that the outfit will never tolerate this man made pre famine plans.- By Our Reporter
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