The outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) admitted today that one of its members was guilty of a breach in the rebel group’s policy of collecting funds.
The militant outfit, which often dresses up its proceeds from extortion as “taxes” on non-tribals or voluntary contributions, said that an individual previously entrusted with financial responsibilities “has unlawfully collected contributions without the knowledge or authorisation” of the HNLC finance secretary. “Such conduct is a betrayal of the trust placed in the council and a threat to the moral integrity of our movement.”
The HNLC did not, in its press release, name the individual. However, recently, there was a back-and-forth played out in the media regarding alleged extortion in the name of the HNLC conducted by a certain individual.
The group then issued a string of directives to safeguard against such misappropriation of funds in the future as if it was a bonafide entity rather than being an illegal outfit. However, as the HNLC has been proscribed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) 1967, providing funds to the organisation is an offence under the law.
