Shillong, Oct 11: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday informed that five persons have been arrested so far in connection with the planting of an IED in front of the National People’s Party (NPP) office. At the same time, he also did not rule out a political link to the event, due to the bye-elections to three Assembly seats later this month.
Chief Minister Sangma said more arrests are likely in the next 24 or 48 hours.
He also claimed that “there could be (a political link) but we don’t know. Police will of course look at all the angles and will do their investigation.”
A member of the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) identified as Ksan Kharkongor from the Umphyrnai area was arrested on Thursday last week.
Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui had said that preliminary investigation revealed that Kharkongor was involved in placing the bomb at NPP gate.
Meanwhile, security in and around the NPP office has been beefed up.
IED planted at NPP gate
A 5kg IED was found planted at the gate of the NPP office at Lachumiere in Shillong on October 4, 2021. The responsibility for the act was claimed by proscribed by HNLC, who also warned NPP workers from canvassing for their candidates for one month, which coincides with the bye-elections to three Assembly seats, slated for October 30th polling and counting on November 2.
