Ministers, MLA’s in Meghalaya getting Extortion demands from militant outfit HNLC

                                                                                                                                                                       Dibya Kamal Bordoloi 

The militant organization is demanding money even from ministers, MLAs, businessmen in Meghalaya.

Shillong: Banned militant outfit HNLC, whose leader was recently killed in Shillong in a police encounter, are running an extortion racket in Meghalaya. The militant organization is demanding money even from ministers, MLAs, businessmen in Meghalaya. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma told in a press conference today in Shillong. Sangma said police had enough leads while investigating the IED blasts in different areas of the state, and they were able to make several arrests and conduct several operations. According to the chief minister, not only politicians but businessmen, common people have been victims of the extortion calls of HNLC.

He further informed that no incidents of unrest have been reported from any part of the city in the last 24 hours. Curfew has been relaxed in the daytime in the city for the last two days. It should be mentioned that Meghalaya police, in an encounter, killed the leader of banned outfit HNLC Cheristerfield Thangkhiew in the wee hours of 13th August. The city witnessed deadly violence from 15th August afternoon during the funeral of the killed militant leader. Curfew was imposed, and internet services were stopped in 4 districts of Meghalaya to control the violence.

CM Sangma also said that during the unrest, people of the state had seen the desperation of the opposition Congress party. Instead of pacifying the situation, the Congress party and its leadership were involved in the political game to topple the government. He said,” I have not seen such desperation by opposition in my political career. Such was the desperation that the Congress leadership used angry words and personal attack were being made. Ashamed with these desperations of their leadership, few Congress MLAs called me and almost apologized to me.” Sangam said, "As a chief minister, I urge the oppositions, political leaders and the whole society to rise above the blame game and work together to bring back peace." He stated that this type of political game never succeeds, and it’s the urge of the time to rise above the petty political game and show some commitment toward our people and society.