Meghalaya outfit HNLC threatens Mukul Sangma govt to worsen situation

The outfit group alleged that, the Meghalaya government and state police are going to create more rebellion in the entire region by hunting down and arresting leaders and members of the Khasi Students Union (KSU).

The publicity secretary of the outfit, Sainkupar Nongtraw said in a press release that, "It is a political nonsense that students are being hunted like they belong to a militant outfit. This is a mockery of democracy."

"People are simply being targeted and arrested on mere suspicion. The Inner Line Permit (ILP) issue was spearheaded by 13 pressure groups. But now only one organisation has become the victim of the police department. The district administrations are aggravating the situation by arresting the youths. Why is the state government so eager to bring in railway when the state is itself going through an economic downfall," Nongtraw said.

Nongtraw said in the statement that, the Meghalaya CM had assured the pressure groups to implement the comprehensive mechanism In order to tackle the problem of influx, and setting up of entry exit points in the entire state including Khasi hills Jaintia hills and Garo hills. "But now our youths have to either hide into the jungles or escape to other states."

The outlawed claimed that, the situation in Meghalaya is nothing different than Kashmir.

"How many more will the police arrest ? The more the arrests the more the damage. This kind of collateral damage shall worsen the situation. Now the region is witnessing only petrol bombs. What would happen if the HNLC gets in touch with the youths and supply them with IED? The entire state shall burn. We cannot burn our state just for the sake of railways. The government should take up the matters seriously and invite the pressure groups for talks," Nongtraw said.

The outfit group threatened that, hunting them would again create an opportunity for the youths to come to us for help.

"We do not want to invite the youths to join the HNLC but we can provide them with help and support to intensify their struggle. It is not too hard to supply them with 35 to 40 Kgs IEDs. But by doing so, the entire region would suffer. We need peace and prosperity but the police needs violence," Nongtraw said.

HNLC demanded the Meghalaya government to release immediately the KSU north Khasi hills president Ferdynald Kharkamni, Sonstar Nongkhlaw and all the other KSU members , who were recently arrested under various sections.

"If it wants to return back to normalcy. We have already been approached by many youths for logistics support. Sooner or later we shall be bound to help them out. The government shall be solely responsible for all the damages and casualties," Nongtraw said.

On the other hand the HNLC offers its condolences to (L)SS khaplang who passed away in Myanmar.

"Baba was a visionary leader of the North east. He was instrumental in fighting for the sovereignty of the Nagas. Baba was well versed with the history of the northeast and its people. He tried his level best to work for the NAGA cause . The GOI is trying to draw a line between the Indian Naga and the Myanmarese Naga. A Naga is a Naga irrespective of the place he is born," he said.

"We had met him in several instances at the NSCN (k) camps. He would always welcome us and provide valuable suggestions and support. His death is a loss to the Naga cause. We have great amount of respect for Baba. His advice to us was to always stick to our cause no matter what happens. Baba was a true fighter. His bravery and valor are evident. He died believing in a cause that would bring about a political solution to the Naga problem. His motivational spirits shall always keep burning in our hearts.
Those of us who knew and worked with Baba,respected and admired his great love for his people and cause.He was an inspiration to us all," Nongtraw added.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)