An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded early Wednesday morning at the Police Reserve quarters in Khliehriat in East Jaiñtia Hills District.
A wall of the building and windows were damaged following the blast at around 1.30am.
Deputy Commissioner, Ethelbert Kharmalki said police have swung into action to trace the perpetrators. “Fortunately, no one was injured. A building on the police reserve campus was partially damaged. A suo motu case has been registered,” he said.
Superintendent of Police, Jagpal Dhanoa Singh said that a special bomb squad unit from Shillong has reached Khliehriat and is gathering critical evidence that will assist in the investigation.
Dhanoa said, “It is too premature to arrive at any deduction as of now, so let’s not talk about the conclusion. Please be assured that we are already on the job and will narrow down on all leads to solve this. The law will prevail.”
Meanwhile, the outlawed Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNCL) in an emailed statement claimed responsibility for the IED blast.
General Secretary of HNLC, Saiñkupar Nongtraw, claimed, “The HNLC takes responsibility for the IED blast in the quarters of the police reserve, Khliehriat at around 2 am. The reason for the blast is to avenge the killings of our members in the past by the police.”
Nongtraw claimed, “It was easy for the police to do away with the militant groups in the Garo Hills. But not with us as we are able to climb the high walls of the police reserve.”
He also sent out a warning to individuals, MLAs and ministers and the Star Cement to stop mining of limestone in Brichyrnot.
Furthermore, he said, “This is our message to the Home Ministry that if Union Home Minister, Amit Shah is still adamant to resolving issues concerning the community.”
