Police arrested four individuals, recovered an improvised explosive device (IED) and material for further bombs in a significant operation against the banned Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) in Ri-Bhoi yesterday.
A joint operation between the District Executive Forces of East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi thwarted this potentially deadly HNLC sleeper cell.
Ri-Bhoi Superintendent of Police Jagpal Singh Dhanoa informed that yesterday at around 6pm, a pickup truck (ML 12 3243) was intercepted along the Umsning-Mawhati Road.
The vehicle was being driven by one Damanbha Ripnar, alias Shall Lapang, a suspected HNLC member. Acting on information provided by him, the authorities recovered the IED from the vehicle, with the bomb squad called in from Shillong to handle the device safely.
Three others were also arrested – Robinis Ripnar, Jill Tariang and Shining Nongrum. They and Damanbha are all residents of Ri-Bhoi.
Police said that this “sleeper cell” had been planning on detonating IEDs within Shillong and Nongpoh. The arrests come days after an IED injured one person and caused minor damage under the police’s nose in the protected Them Iewmawlong area of Shillong.
The HNLC cell was reportedly receiving instructions from fugitives based in Bangladesh.
Ri-Bhoi police also confiscated a cache of materials, including 15 gelatin sticks, 167 splinters (components of the IED), one safety fuse wire and three non-electric detonators.
The stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and other laws have been used to charge the four.
