SHILLONG, MAY 15: A day after the arrest of four militants including an ULFA bomb-expert, the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) on Sunday claimed that its targets was to blow up the Meghalaya High Court and the Government Secretariat.
In a statement issued on Sunday, HNLC publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said, “Our prime targets were to blow up the High Court and the Secretariat because the two political institutions were trying to segregate our Hynñiewtrep community by taking away our rights.”
He said, “We have earlier declared that we have coordinated with other groups of north east to pursue our agenda because we were provoked by the state government, which have failed to pay heed to our offer for unilateral ceasefire.”
The arrest of four militants including 3 HNLC senior cadres and an ULFA cadre, who is an expert in bomb-making, by the state police foiled an attempt of outfits to trigger massive explosions in strategic locations of the city.
Police have also seized two bombs besides arms and ammunition from the possession of the militants, who were returning in a vehicle at Mawlieh View Point, near Langkyrdem, after seeing heavy security cover in the city.
Stating that the arrest of its cadres along with ULFA is a huge loss, Nongtraw said, “But they shall be replaced with other dedicated cadres,” adding “The arrest of our cadres shall not demoralise us but it shall trigger up more hardcore cadres to take up our cause.”
Terming the arrest as a failed operation of the outfits, he however claimed, “It is just the beginning of a war like situation. We have our own bomb experts now who are capable of blowing up strategic locations and cause maximum damage.”
Stating that state police are overconfident of its ongoing Hillstorm-3, an anti-insurgent operation against militants in Garo Hills region, the HNLC leader said, “But they (police) should not forget that the HNLC can create an IED-Storm operation in the heart of the city and its political institutions.”
Meanwhile, the HNLC has outrightly blamed the Mukul led state government for showing lack of seriousness on the unilateral ceasefire offer, which has compelled the outfit to take up the path of violence.
“We had even decided not to boycott this year’s Independence day celebrations but the Government wasn’t at all serious,” Nongtraw said while adding that whatever consequences, the HNLC should not be blamed.
He said, “The Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has to shoulder the responsibility for compelling us to take the path of violence. We shall further intensify our programme, and give headache to the Government as well as the police.”
“The CM has inked peace pact with Garo militants but when it came to our group he sidelines us. We had faith in him as a capable leader of the state but his working attitude has made matter worse,” he said.
The HNLC leader has also lambasted the chief minister for being busy in canvassing for his wife, Dikkanchi D Shira, who is the Congress official candidate for the Tura Lok Sabha bye-election, which is slated to be held tomorrow.
“He (CM) has given all his efforts to make his wife the Queen of Garo hills, but during Vincent Pala’s MP election campaign the CM did not bother to canvass for him, even though they belong to the same party. This attitude proves that the CM stands only for his own family and community,” he said.
Meanwhile, the HNLC has also issued a warning that it would not stop until it succeed in its plans.
“Henceforth if any casualty is taking place in the Khasi and Jaintia hills, the state government shall be solely responsible. We have decided to take up the path of violence again,” it said adding “The government’s attitude towards the HNLC has detonated our determinations and we shall not remain in patience anymore.”
Nongtraw also warned that in the Independence Day and Republic day celebrations the HNLC will plant IEDs in unexpected locations and the public would be solely responsible for their own casualties.-By Our Reporter
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