Nongpoh, Feb 28: Police in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district have arrested two individuals for allegedly recruiting youths for the banned militant outfit Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) and conspiring to prepare an improvised explosive device (IED).
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a joint team of the Ri-Bhoi District Executive Force (DEF) and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) conducted a raid on February 23 at Pahamlapong in Nongpoh and arrested 35-year-old Benjamin Sohtun. He is accused of using social media platforms to lure and recruit local youths into the HNLC.
Police sources said that during interrogation, several incriminating materials were recovered from Sohtun’s possession, pointing to his alleged involvement in extremist activities.
Based on disclosures made during questioning, police arrested another suspect, 23-year-old Jenesis Sohkhwai of Umsohbar village, on February 26 in Patharkamah.
Investigators allege that Sohkhwai conspired with Sohtun to prepare an improvised explosive device (IED), raising serious security concerns in the district.
A case has been registered at Nongpoh Police Station under Case No. 15(2) 2026, pertaining to Sections 113(3), 147, and 148 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police officials confirmed that further investigation is underway to identify and apprehend other possible associates linked to the network.
