One person was arrested in connection with an IED blast in Police Bazaar, the commercial hub in Shillong, police said today.
In a statement issued here, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Sylvester Nongtnger said the arrested person was arrested a few hours after the blast based on reliable source information.
“During the course of enquiry, he admitted his involvement and claimed himself to be the Area Commander of Shillong Region of the banned outfit- Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC),” Nongtnger said.
Based on his leads, crude IED was recovered from the residence of his relatives in Nongthymmai which was safely defused and duly seized in the presence of independent witnesses, the SP added.
Home Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui said the arrested person was a juvenile who hails from Nongstoiñ in West Khasi Hills district. “Through his confession, police has detained another suspect ,” he said.
The blast took place at 6:30 pm yesterday when a remotely timed improvised explosive device exploded at entrance of the Centre Point building, Police Bazaar, Shillong damaging the wall, windowpanes and signage of the shops located in the building.
The incident had ruptured the peace in Khyndailad, though no casualties were reported. Being a Sunday, shops around it were shut due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The outlawed HNLC has claimed responsibility for the blast.
In an emailed statement self-styled general secretary of the outfit, Sainkupar Nongtraw said the blast was triggered by them due to non-payment of “tax” by shopkeepers.
He claimed that that the IED blast was planned yesterday knowing well that there will be no casualties and that some CRPF personnel and a person were injured. “Perhaps the number of casualties will rise as per our reports,” he stated.
Nongtraw also warned that the outfit would trigger more attacks to avenge the “mistake” committed by the MDA government in killing its former leader, Cherishterfield Thangkhiew.
