Shillong, March 14: Seven Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blasts occured in the state during the last five years, Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui informed the Assembly on Monday.
In reply to a question by Mohendro Rapsang ( Congress), Rymbui said there were two in East Khasi Hills – Laitumkhrah main market on August 10, 2021 and at the entrance step of the new extension building of Centre Point Estate at Khyndailad on January 30, 2022, three in East Jaintia Hills- Star Cement Campus at Krishna Colony Lane on December 12, 2020, Soo Kilo market on November 26, 2020 and Police Reserve Residential Quarter, Khliehriat on July 14, 2021, Dawki in West Jaintia Hills on February 1, 2018 and Sawilgre village in East Garo Hills on February 18, 2018.
While HNLC had claimed responsibility for six blasts in Khasi-Jaintia Hills, the Sawilgre blast resulted in the killing of NCP candidate Jonathan Sangma
Rymbui said arrests have been made in most of the cases but since some of the cases are being looked into by commissions of inquiry, further details cannot be given.
Rapsang wanted to know the measures being taken to prevent IED blasts in future.
To this, home minister said intelligence as well as the cyber crime police stations have been strengthened.
He said the Centre had already given green signal for the state government to facilitate the peace process with the banned HNLC, which had claimed responsibility for most of the IED blasts in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region.
Seeking the cooperation of the members and the citizens of the state, Rymbui assured that the state government will go an extra mile to ensure peace and tranquility in the state.
No info on pending dues
Rymbui said information was not available when Congress legislator from East Shillong Ampareen Lyngdoh wanted to know as to when the government is clearing the pending dues to the residents of Laitumkhrah, who’s properties including window panes, were affected due to the IED blast.
