Shillong, Mar 14: Meghalaya Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Monday said the Meghalaya Police has strengthened its intelligence gathering network and strengthened the police department as a whole including cyber crime monitoring and police stations to enable them to gather more intel in view of the recent IED blasts across the state. He also stated that arrests have been made in connection with the blasts but did not divulge the details of the arrests.
Replying to a query by suspended Congress MLA from West Shillong Mohendro Rapsang in the Assembly, the Home Minister also informed that there have been 7 IED blasts reported in the state in the last 5 years.
Giving the details of the blasts, he shared: On January 30, 2022 a blast took place at the entrance step of the new extension building of Centre Point Estate at Khyndailad; on August 10, 2021 at Laitumkhrah main market; on July 14, 2021 blast occurred at Police Reserve Residential Quarter, Khliehriat, East Jaintia Hills Dist; on December 12, 2020 at Campus Krishna Colony Lane, Lumshnong in East Jaintia Hills; on November 26, 2020 at Soo Kilo Market, East Jaintia Hills; on February 18, 2018 at Sawilgre Village; and on February 1, 2018 at Dawki.
However, on the query of number of arrests in each case and the involvement of juvenile(s), Rymbui said arrests have been made but he cannot divulge the details because some of the cases are being probed by the Judicial Commission.
Measures to maintain Peace in state
On the query of measures being taken to maintain peace in the state, Rymbui informed the Assembly that on Thursday (March 10, 2022), the Government of India had given its nod to go ahead for peace talks with the banned militant outfit Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) who in most cases have taken responsibility for the IED blasts in the state.
He said the peace talks with HNLC should resolve most issues related to maintaining peace and tranquillity in the state.
