Shillong, March 19: The number of suspects behind the bomb explosion at Them Mawlong in Shillong city has gone up to seven with the arrest of a key suspect by police from Mairang on Monday.

The joint operation by police teams from Ri-Bhoi and Mairang led to the capture of the prime suspect who was allegedly instrumental in triggering the March 9-IED bomb blast. The accused, identified as 21-year-old Namphyrnai Lyngdoh Peinlang from Peinlang village was picked up from Mairang in Eastern West Khasi Hills and brought to Shillong on Monday.

More details are emerging about the links between the arrested men and members of the banned outfit Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC).

The first breakthrough was made two days after the explosion ripped through a garbage container at Them Mawlong.

On March 11th an HNYF leader, 58-year-old Tarson Lymba, was arrested from Dawki besides another suspect Ebakordor Nongpluh (26) who hails from Malki area of Shillong.

A day later, on March 12 police busted an active sleeper cell of the HNLC and foiled its attempt to explode more IEDs in Shillong and Nongpoh town.

Four members of the outfit were arrested from Ri Bhoi district. They have been identified as Damanbha Ripnar alias Shall Lapang, Robinis Ripnar, Jill Tariang and Shining Nongrum.

Two days after the sleeper cell was jolted from slumber by Ri-Bhoi police, the HNLC came out in the open to claim responsibility for the March 9-IED bomb blast at Them Metor (Them Iew Mawlong) and served a one month ultimatum to the government for relocation of the 342 families of Sweepers’ Colony from the area.

Despite the threat, police chief of east Khasi Hills, SP Rituraj Ravi said that security across the city remains high as well as in other districts of the state.

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