SHILLONG, FEB 2: The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) threatened to intervene into a land dispute case in a remote village of East Jaintia hills district where members of the surrendered-HNLC are allegedly involved if the police fail to act and resolved the matter.
The HNLC statement came on the backdrop of the alleged failure of the police and authority concerned to take action against the alleged abuse of powers by a group of goons including SHNLC on a land dispute case (coal mine) in Birwar and Samasi under Nongkhlieh Elaka of the district which has become a major law and order problem making the villager insecure.
HNLC publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw warned in a statement issued on Sunday, “If the law enforcers (police) fail to take up the matter seriously at the earliest, we would be compelled to intervene and take the law in our own hands through guns against such criminals (including SHNLC) in order to restore back peace and harmony in the area.”
Nongtraw said that reports indicated that even coal trucks were being set ablaze, some were being threatened, assaulted and even shot at, besides women and girls of the area are being harassed by the group under the leadership of SHNLC Stephan Rymbai, Heimon Rymbai who is an alleged contract killer, Begin Paslein and others.
“These people have been instrumental in creating chaos and unrest in the area,” Nongtraw said while appealing to the people of the area to provide details about them including their address and hangouts for necessary actions from the outfit.
Nongtraw also questioned the police as to what had happened to several complaints lodged by the people from the area against such harassment by the groups.
The HNLC also blamed the sitting Lok Sabha MP Vincent H Pala for not doing anything to ensure that the problems is tackled so that the villagers can live without fear.
“If Pala can travel abroad the state just to shake hands with the Pope, what is the difficulty in extending the same the hand to help his own people,” Nongtraw argued.
Nongtraw also said if Pala cannot take up the responsibility in ensuring that peace and tranquility is restore then how can people expect him to take up the responsibility of the indigenous Hynniewtrep people in Parliament.
The HNLC further argued that though the case has been won by the rightful owners in High Court, yet a group including senior police officials and big business tycoons from the region has turned the land into a battle field and taken away the rights of weaker section.
According to Nongtraw, certain inputs received by the outfit have also indicated the police nexus with the group.
“Inputs also suggested that senior police officials are allegedly making good business (coal business) from the area (Nongkhlieh) and are working closely with the group led by SHNLC,” Nongtraw claimed.
Meanwhile, Nongtraw also urged the SHNLC leaders to refrain from politicizing the case and ensure their cadres do not cross their limits otherwise the HNLC will not take responsibility for action that might follow.- By Our Reporter
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