Ri-Bhoi district police arrested two cadres of the proscribed Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) for extortion and threatening local businessmen and government officials to pay or face the dire consequences.
The two have been identified as Pyndapbok Makri and Lary Pynkmen Nongshli.
Ri Bhoi Superintendent of Police Vivekanand Singh Rathore today said based on credible information a counter insurgency operation was conducted yesterday that led to the arrest of Makri from Lad Quinine while receiving extortion money.
He said based on his interrogation and further investigation, Nongshli was arrested from Umtyra by a team from East Jaintia Hills Police.
A case has been registered and investigation is on.
According to Rathore, some Bangladesh based anti-national elements affiliated to the HNLC, which has been declared as an unlawful association by the Government of India, send demand notes over WhatsApp to local Khasi businessmen and government officials and compel them to pay the demanded amount by threatening them and their family members, relatives, etc. with dire consequences.
He said after sending the demand notes, the Bangladeshi elements send their local Meghalaya-based overground workers to collect the money. “These youths fall into their trap as they see it as an easy opportunity to earn quick bucks. If arrested, these overground workers suffer their whole life while these Bangladesh based cadres enjoy their life,” the SP said.
