Shillong, July 25: Meghalaya police have made it clear that donation to HNLC is prohibited as the militant group is still an unlawful organisation.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Eastern Range) Davis NR Marak said, “Even now, HNLC is an unlawful association. Any donation to an unlawful association or any form of donation or help or contribution, will be liable for punishment.
His reply was in response to a statement of HNLC that pending the finalisation of the peace process, people can contribute to the Council in the form of donation.
“Anyone donating or contributing to the outfit, if we get to know and we have proof that they are donating, we will take action as per law”, he said.
Investigation into demand notes
The police will investigate into the demand notes allegedly served in the name of HNLC to several business people across the Khasi and Jaintia Hills region.
The demand notes surfaced at a time when the tripartite peace talks between the Centre, State and the HNLC are on.
To a question on demand notes, Marak said, “We cannot rule out at this stage whether demand notes are genuine or not. We are inquiring about the matter and only once we inquire and investigate this matter fully then we will be able to find out.”
“The person (Synshar Khymdeit) whose name appeared apparently has denied by saying that it was not him and in fact he had reported yesterday to police headquarters also. Now whether these are genuine HNLC demand notes or somebody is taking advantage using the name of the HNLC for serving the demand notes that we will uncover when we investigate further into this case,” he said.
Marak said the police will also inquire whether Khymdeit is involved or not or whether somebody else must have used his names for serving these demand notes, which have surfaced and have been circulating and reported by the media.
The HNLC had on Monday denied its hand behind the demand notes.
The HNLC had also urged the police to take up the matter seriously and get the culprits arrested so as to enable a peaceful atmosphere for the talks.
When asked about large scale distribution of demand notes, the police official said that have had reports of such demand notes being served but nobody has come forward to file an FIR or to report to the police.
“Some businessmen may have claimed that they were extorted, they were given these demand notes, but they themselves have not come forward to the police to reveal as to whether they have actually got these demand notes or from whom etc. They have not come forward so no action can be taken as of now,” he said.
The DIG said that threatening the victims with dire consequences is always the modus operandi of militant groups.
“If you recall recently you must have noticed there was a fake GNLA also and we found out later when they were actually arrested, they were labourers,” he added.
