An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was detected and defused by the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) in front of the National People’s Party (NPP) office at Lower Lachumiere in the city today.
The presence of a blue bag was spotted at main entrance to the NPP office. Police immediately rushed to site and surrounded the area after which a bomb disposal squad was subsequently called in who successfully defused the two kg IED without causing any damage.
Soon after the detection of the IED, the proscribed Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) self styled general secretary posted a status on Facebook and claimed responsibility for the act.
Assistant Inspector General of Police (A) GK Iangrai in a statement said that the bomb was detected at around 3:40 pm inside a bag kept in front of the NPP office. He said that the bomb squad after searching the bag found that it contained crude improvised device which was instantly defused by the team.
“A case under relevant provisions of law is being registered at Laitumkhrah Police Station against the members of the proscribed outfit HNLC who have made claims through social media about planting the explosive substances in front of NPP office,” Iangrai said.
Meanwhile, in an emailed statement Nongtraw said that the outfit had planted the IED “without executing it.”
Claiming to have received information on the death of its former leader, Cherishterfield Thangkhiew, Nongtraw stated, “It was a complete political conspiracy by some ministers of the state of Meghalaya and where these ministers will hide themselves before the upcoming elections, we will hunt them, chase them and intimidate them, hence we will shoot and kill them without any mercy.”
Nongtraw claimed that the police had arrested innocent people without proper evidence by accusing Thangkhiew of being involved in the IED blast in Laitumkhrah. He added, “The allegation against Bah Che was just miscalculation and disinformation.”
The banned outfit has also threatened NPP party workers and demanded their immediate resignation from the party and said, “…should refrain from joining the party within a month, failing to do so, the Council will take strong measures against the higher- ups office bearers of the NPP in Khasi as well as in Jaiñtia hills.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui refused to comment on the incident and said they are waiting for reports from police and investigation is on.
