Meghalaya: Police Bust HNLC sleeper cell in Ri Bhoi, three arrested

Guwahati: A police team in Ri Bhoi, Meghalaya dismantled a hidden unit of the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) operating in the Mawhati-Umroi area and Shillong city.

The operation targeted the group responsible for a recent string of extortion attempts.

Police identified the cell's leader as Cyfrank Paul Pariat, 25, from Ummat village. Pariat, along with Kitbok Mujai, 23, and Barnabas Lyngdoh, 49, allegedly threatened individuals with violence to extort money for the HNLC.

A police source said that a joint operation on June 10 led to the arrest of all three.

Further investigation revealed their involvement in recruiting new members, financing the organization's activities, and spreading propaganda for the HNLC, which is outlawed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The police also discovered that the trio received training in Bangladesh last year.

Police have registered a case under the UAPA and Indian Penal Code sections related to criminal conspiracy and abetment of murder.