Shillong, Jan 31: The proscribed militant outfit Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has claimed responsibility for causing the improvised explosive device (IED) blast at Police Bazar (Khyndailad) on Sunday evening.

“The outfit is claiming responsibility for the IED blast at Khyndailad,” HNLC general secretary cum publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said in a statement issued on Monday, a day after the blast took place.

He claimed that the outfit had decided to execute the blast on a Sunday to ensure there was no casualty. However, unfortunately some of the CRPF personnel and one person were injured during the incident, Nongtraw said while adding that the number of people injured in the incident may go up.

Blast targeted at non-tribal shops

The HNLC leader said that the main reason for the bomb blast was due to the failure of some non-tribal shops to pay tax to the outfit.

“This would also be a warning to all the non-tribal shop owners not to defy the outfit’s diktat otherwise they would have to face the same consequences,” he declared.

Nongtraw also alleged that the Khyndailad has become a colony of a particular community making it unsafe for local people to walk at night.

“Therefore, in areas where the government cannot protect our indigenous people, the HNLC will protect them,” he said.

HNLC to continue with terror activities

The HNLC general secretary further announced that the outfit will continue with its terror activities. He alleged that the government had made a big mistake by killing its own messenger, who is the former outfit leader Cheristerfield Thangkhiew.

“This has angered the outfit so much. The person has died but the outfit will not spare those involved be it minister or be it top police officials,” he warned.