Meghalaya Police bust HNLC sleeper cell in Nongpoh; Bids to stage more IED blasts foiled
Staff Reporter
Shillong, March 12: The state police today busted an active sleeper cell of the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) and foiled its attempt to explode more IEDs in Shillong and Nongpoh town.
Four persons were arrested from Ri Bhoi district. They have been identified as Damanbha Ripnar alias Shall Lapang, Robinis Ripnar, Jill Tariang and Shining Nongrum.
“A joint operation of East Khasi Hills DEF and Ri Bhoi DEF, Meghalaya police was able to foil the bid of the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) to explode another IED,” Ri Bhoi SP Jagpal Singh Dhanao said.
He said on Monday evening at about 6 pm, one Bolero Pick-up vehicle (ML-12-3243) driven by Damanbha Ripnar was detained at Umsning-Mawhati road.
On the voluntary leading of the accused Damanbha Ripnar, one IED was recovered from the above-mentioned vehicle by Bomb Detection & Disposal Squad (BDDS) from Shillong after observing all the safety protocols.
“Till filing of this report one active sleeper cell of HNLC consisting of 4 accused persons has been busted thereby foiling their attempt to explode more IEDs in Shillong and Nongpoh town,” the SP said. “It is to be mentioned that this sleeper cell was taking directions from Bangladesh based proscribed HNLC fugitives,” he added.
Police have also seized 15 gelatin sticks, 167 splinters (shrapnel inside the IED), 1 safety fuse wire, 3 numbers of non-electric detonators and 5 mobile phones during the operation.
A criminal case has been registered with the Nongpoh police station.
On Sunday, two including an HNYF leader were arrested for their involvement in the IED bomb blast at Them Iew Mawlong.
Shillong Sweepers’ Colony issue: Court unhappy with delay in relocation
Staff Reporter
Shillong, Aug 30: The Meghalaya High Court today expressed dismay over the delay to resolve the issue pertaining to the proposed relocation of the 342 families of Sweepers’ Colony from Them Iew Mawlong.
“This matter has still not been resolved despite negotiations between the State and the respondents,” the Division Bench said in its order passed after hearing petitions filed by the State and the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC).
The order said that the Advocate-General had submitted that the State is contemplating a request by the respondents to provide some additional space. “For such purpose, the State requests an adjournment of the matter for four weeks,” it added.
The next hearing on the matter will be held on September 29.
Court to decide on relocation from Sweepers’ Colony
Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Urban Affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar has informed that the state government has filed an affidavit before the Meghalaya High Court with regards to the proposal for relocating the 342 families of Sweepers’ Colony from Them Iew Mawlong.
Dhar told reporters today that now the matter is left to the court to decide.
The minister said that the government will also sit in a few days and take a call on the matter.
According to him, this was after the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) had rejected the government’s proposal to relocate the Sweepers’ Colony from Them Iew Mawlong to the existing land of the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB).
Dhar however said that the government will always welcome the HPC if they want to discuss the matter.
On April 24, the Meghalaya High Court had deferred the hearing on the issue to June 7.
The order was passed by the division bench based on the request made by the state government and the HPC during the hearing held here.
The government had come up with a blueprint after rejecting the April 25,2022-proposal of the HPC that 200 square meters of land be provided to each of the 342 families within the European ward besides bearing the cost of construction of their homes.
In its recent 6-page reply sent to the Deputy Secretary of the Government of Meghalaya and other concerned departments, the HPC had alleged that the government’s proposal was “incomplete, unsuitable, unprepared, unfair and undemocratic.”
The HPC had also stated in its reply that “There are serious lacunae, sweeping and undesirable conclusions in the approach and attitude of the High-Level Committee of the Meghalaya government.”
“We are absolutely devastated that since the formation of the new government, ministers, MLAs and certain groups have been making unnecessary remarks saying that the whole issue would be resolved within the month of April. What magical trick do they have up their sleeve to resolve the issue within days? The matter is sub-judice and they are only paying lip service to respect for the judiciary. We will not buckle under political duress,” it had also added.