Shillong, May 3: Two cadres of the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) were arrested for their involvement in extortion in extortion activities.
They have been identified as Pyndapbok Makri and Lary Pynkmen Nongshli, district police chief V Rathore said on Saturday.
He said the arrest was made based on credible information that the banned HNLC is attempting to illegally extort huge amounts from local businessmen and government official of the district by threatening them with causing physical harm, murder etc. Immediately, a Counter Insurgency Operation was conducted yesterday in Ri-Bhoi district.
During the operation, one suspected HNLC cadre named Pyndapbok Makri was arrested at Lad Quinine while receiving extortion money.
Based on his interrogation and further investigation, another suspected HNLC cadre namely Lary Pynkmen Nongshli was arrested from Umtyra by a team from East Jaintia Hills Police. A case has been registered and investigation is on.
Further, the SP informed that 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.
Thereafter, they 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 whole life while these Bangladesh based cadres enjoy their life,” he said.
