Shillong: Meghalaya Police announced on Tuesday that they have not officially received any complaints of extortion by the proscribed HNLC, except for one, which they have promptly acted upon. Deputy Inspector General of Police (TAP) Claudia A. Lyngwa clarified that, despite circulating reports on social media, only a single complaint has been filed to date.
Lyngwa emphasized that when it comes to demand notes, various individuals engage in such criminal activities, and it is challenging to attribute them to any specific organization. Referring to the recent arrest of HNLC cadre Storgy Lyngdoh, who entered Meghalaya from Bangladesh, she revealed that information regarding numerous extortions and demands was discovered on his mobile phone.
While there were no specific demand notes from Storgy to individuals, his phone contained numerous contact numbers linked to extortion demands. Responding to reports suggesting Storgy’s intention to surrender, Lyngwa stated that he was part of the peace negotiation process, and if surrendering was his goal, he was already present in Meghalaya. She questioned the implications of him returning to Bangladesh and then coming back.
Lyngwa clarified that the police are not conducting operations against the HNLC, but individuals committing crimes will face legal consequences. Addressing concerns about public security, she asserted that the police have worked tirelessly and made sacrifices, contributing to the region’s growth in tourism. She expressed confidence that these efforts should instill a sense of security among the public.
When questioned about the strength of the HNLC, Lyngwa mentioned that information suggests a cadre size of 30-40 members, with no details available on their weapons. Additionally, she revealed that there are currently 33 pending cases against the HNLC.
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