2 suspected HNLC cadres arrested ** Khasi businessmen targeted
Shillong, Apr 3: Bangladesh based elements of the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) are carrying out an extortion drive using local overground workers and sympathisers, the police said.
The extortion drive has targeted local Khasi businessmen and government officials among others, police claimed following arrest of two suspected HNLC cadres in a joint operation by Ri-Bhoi and East Jaintia Hills police.
The banned outfit issued threat to cause physical harm or even murder while trying to extract money from their targets, police said.
In one instance, Ri-Bhoi police based on specific inputs launched an operation and caught red handed a suspected HNLC cadre, Pyndapbok Makri, while receiving extortion money at Lad Quinine in the district on Friday.
Following his interrogation, East Jaintia Hills police launched another operation and arrested the other cadre, Lary Pynkmen Nongshli, arrested from Umtyra in the district.
“Some Bangladesh based anti-national elements affiliated to 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,” Ri-Bhoi police chief V Rathore said on Saturday.
Thereafter, they send their local Meghalaya based overground workers to collect the money, he said.
“These youth fall into their trap as they see it as an easy opportunity to earn quick bucks. If arrested, the overground workers suffer whole life while the Bangladesh based cadres enjoy their life,” he added.
