SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Police has claimed to have foiled a major terror plot orchestrated by the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) in the state.
The police’s declaration follows a recovery of a cache of arms and explosives from a house in Ri Bhoi on Wednesday.
According to reports, acting on intelligence leads provided by one of the four arrested suspects in the recent Shillong IED blast, the police conducted a search operation resulting in the recovery of small arms, gelatin sticks, detonators, ignition fuses, and HNLC flags, among other incriminating materials.
Superintendent of Police Rituraj Ravi of East Khasi Hills told the press that the investigation has unveiled a broader conspiracy, and efforts are underway to apprehend all individuals involved in the terror plot.
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The HNLC reportedly tempted sleeper cell members with money and vehicles to set off bombs across the state. The modus operandi involved coordination with the banned outfit’s members based in Bangladesh, who directed the sleeper cells in executing their plans.
The police mentioned that the sleeper cell had previously raised HNLC flags, following orders from fugitives linked to the banned organization based in Bangladesh.
The breakthrough came after a thorough interrogation of the arrested four suspects in connection with the blast that occurred on March 9.
Earlier on March 10, the Meghalaya Police apprehended four individuals, including a member of the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF), in connection with the recent IED explosion that rocked Harijan Colony in Shillong.
Identified as Tarson Lymba (58), the HNYF member is a resident of West Jaintia Hills, was apprehended from Dawki during an operation on Sunday night.
