The banned HNLC has claimed that its former cadre Junel Tongper has rejoined the outfit along with few of his friends.
In a statement issued today, the HNLC said that Tongper was arrested twice before and he has been harassed time and again by the Police Department through raids at his residence and asking him to appear at the police station whenever required.
“He did not maintain any more links with our council after his arrest, but due to the constant harassment of the police he was compelled to rejoin,” HNLC general secretary Saiñkupar Nongtraw said.
“In fact his old cases were also reopened. Opening up of old cases is nothing but just a torture stunt by the police, whereby one suffers injustices daily. It is not a matter of joke to manage the fees of the lawyer time and again. This kind of harassment towards our ex-cadres and their family members should be immediately stopped by the police. Just because he was a member of the council before, it doesn’t mean that he can be implicated into any kind of case related to the HNLC,”Nongtraw said.
“This kind of mental harassment to our cadres and their family members is nothing new, as many of our cadres bear testimony of such ill treatments. The Police Department by committing such acts is indirectly strengthening our council, thereby compelling the frustrated cadres to rejoin,” the HNLC general secretary said adding, “If any of our cadres face such kind of harassment they are welcome back into the arms of the HNLC.”
He also claimed that many youth who are in favour of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) cause have also joined the HNLC.
“The HNLC welcomes anybody who is willing to undergo extreme hardships to serve the Hynñiewtrep cause. We do not assure money nor a luxurious life, all we can assure is a life worth living and sacrificing for our future generations to come” Nongtraw said.
It may be recalled that Tongper was arrested by East Jaintia Hills Police for his alleged involvement with the HNLC. He was arrested from his residence of Umkiang Lumphyllut on June 25, 2016.
