SHILLONG: A day after busting the newly formed militant outfit National Liberation Council of Nongkyndong (NLCN) with seven arrests, the Meghalaya police nabbed the outfit’s area commander of East Khasi Hills from the Iewduh (Bara Bazar) area of Shillong district, on August 17.
With the arrest of the self-styled area commander of the outfit, the total tally of detained NLCN members in the last few days has gone up to 11.
On August 16, the Meghalaya police had arrested seven NLCN members including a female member and a juvenile. These detainees included prominent figures within the organisation such as the self-styled chairman, commander-in-chief, general secretary, and the area commander for West Khasi Hills.
According to Deputy Inspector General of Police (Eastern Range) Davis NR Marak, the NLCN emerged as a faction of Khasi-Jaintia youth within the Khasi and Jaintia Hills regions. Their alleged objectives encompassed anti-government activities, illegal arms procurement, extortion, recruitment, militant training, establishment of terrorist camps, and plotting acts of terrorism.
Subsequent to these arrests of the seven militants, a criminal case was registered at the Crime Branch Police Station in the Eastern Range, Shillong. The charges span various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. During investigations, searches of known hideouts led to the discovery of incriminating evidence, including mobile phones and documents that substantiate their alleged involvement.
A notable revelation emerged as DIG Marak revealed that the NLCN had reportedly formed affiliations with other militant groups in Nagaland. Intelligence indicated that the group intended to send its first cadre batch for arms training in Nagaland on August 17. Authorities remain committed to apprehending remaining members of the NLCN, as efforts to neutralize this emerging threat continue unabated.
The Meghalaya police’s crackdown on militancy unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing peace negotiations with the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), showcases their dual focus on maintaining security and fostering dialogue.
