‘Probe if there is HNLC-KSU nexus’

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, JUNE 14: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma today directed the state police to have a ‘deeper’ investigation into the possible nexus between banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) and the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), which is hell bent against the railway project.

This was following recent claim of the HNLC that some members of the pressure group have approached the outfit for “logistic support” and that it is ready to supply them with intensive explosive devices (IEDs).

“Since there is a claim, police are on the job to go deeper into this and find out if there is anything (nexus),” Sangma told reporters after chairing the meeting of the State Security Commission (SSC) held here on Wednesday.

He informed that the Commission has been briefed on the matter and was assured that the whole internal security apparatus is capable of dealing with this challenge.

The HNLC in its statement has also demanded the Congress led government to invite the KSU for talks and release its activists, who were arrested after the May 27-voilent protest against construction of the railway line in Ronghona under Byrnihat police outpost in Ri Bhoi District.

A similar demand was also made by the opposition National People’s Party (NPP) in an open letter to the state home minister HDR Lyngdoh yesterday.

Asked whether the government would consider inviting the anti-railway group for dialouge, the chief minister said, “We will have talks and discussion as and when required. But let them stop all the criminal and unlawful activities and demonstrate maturity and responsibility.”

Stating that the incidents of arson and petrol bomb attacks is a matter of concern, he however said the government did not expect the KSU to behave like a ‘rouge organization’.

According to him, the government anticipated that they will always engage in dialogue and expressed their concern in the right platform and not to indulge in arsons as that is not the way and it is not a reflective of a civilized organization.

“I have always maintained if somebody is indulging in criminal activities how will you sit and talk with criminals. Government has to talk with people who demonstrate responsibility,” he said.

Sangma further appealed to the leadership of the KSU to demonstrate sense of responsibility and restrain themselves from unlawful activities for the larger good of the state and the people.