The Ri Bhoi police have arrested three individuals suspected of being members of the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC).
Superintendent of Police, Ri-Bhoi District, Nongpoh, Jagpal Singh Dhanoa, provided details of the arrests, stating that the operation was based on credible intelligence indicating a conspiracy to plant Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in various locations across the Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
“Accused Equest Langsiang was detained from Bethany Hospital junction, Nongpoh on the 20th August at around 12:30 Am and at the spot incriminating evidence recovered from his phone, which was accordingly seized. Hence the case was registered accordingly vide Nongpoh PS Case No.87(08)2024 U/s 113 (3) (5) BNS,” Dhanoa said.
Preliminary interrogation revealed that Langsiang admitted to being a member of the HNLC and was conspiring with other members, including those based in Bangladesh, to execute IED attacks.
Following Langsiang’s arrest, the SP said, “The two persons were apprehended from Jowai & Nartiang respectively which they also admitted to be the members of HNLC and also planning IED blast on the 14th & 15th August, 2024 on direction of Bangladesh based leaders of proscribed outfit HNLC.”