Shillong, Oct 7: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has assured to provide adequate security to all candidates of different political parties contesting the upcoming bye-elections to the three Assembly seats slated for October 30 polling.
In view of the threat issued by HNLC to NPP workers, Sangma, who is also the national president of National People’s Party (NPP), said the government is not taking the matter lightly and all measures will be taken to ensure everyone’s safety.
The banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) had placed a 5kg IED at the gate of the NPP office at Lachumiere on October 4, 2021. The bomb was spotted by nearby shop keepers, who promptly informed the police. The bomb disposal squad quickly arrived and diffused the bomb. HNLC claimed that the bomb was placed in reaction to the killing of former HNLC general secretary Cherishterfield Thangkhiew, which the outfit claimed was a complete “political conspiracy” by some ministers. It also warned NPP members in Khasi-Jaintia Hills, asking them to resign from the party and desist from campaigning till the time bye-elections are not over.
“You see every threat that is there, every aspect and challenges we face is important, we cannot take it lightly but we are sure with the work that the agencies are doing right now, the work that the police are doing right now, we should be able to normalise the situation to large extent and we don’t expect any kind of serious threat in this situation,” Sangma said.
He further assured that all measures will be taken to ensure all candidates of different political parties are given enough security.
On the outfit threatening to shoot ministers of the MDA government, the Chief Minister said, “As I said, the threat may be there but the agencies are doing their work. We are ensuring that no such threat or no such incidents will occur and we are confident that all steps will be taken to ensure all our people are protected.”
Meanwhile, Meghalaya police have arrested one person in connection with the IED case. The Chief Minister said others involved have been identified and will be arrested soon.
