Meghalaya: Crackdown on extortion, HNLC cadre arrested

In a big development, the East Khasi Hills Police has apprehended a cadre of the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council, Storgy Lyngdoh from Shillong today.

The arrest comes amidst allegations that several business people from Jaintia and East Khasi Hills received demand notes from the HNLC asking them to pay a sum of Rs. 20 lakh as income tax.

Storgy Lyngdoh was arrested from his residence at Mawlynrei in Shillong based on a tip off.
The police said one mobile phone along with one Bangladesh Bangla link SIM card, one Indian Airtel SIM card and one 1GB SD memory card were recovered from his possession.

Police further confirmed the allegations that Storgy Lyngdoh was invovled in activities such as extortion, regrouping, and mobilizing support of symphathizers for anti-national and violent causes.

And earlier, sources said that over 100 people were served demand notes with a warning to not approach the police regarding the matter.

Sources reported that the sender was using a Bangladesh based number and the demand notes were received through Whatsapp.

The Meghalaya Police also confirmed today that they have launched a Cyber probe into the alleged extortion drive being carried out by the HNLC.

Superintendent of Police of East Khasi Hills, Rituraj Ravi stated that the police were probing the allegations from different angles and they are taking serious note.

“We have got the initial reports, but the alleged victims have not come to us. We are still in the very initial stages of the investigation. EKH district police is looking at it from all angles and we are taking it very seriously. Our teams are on the job. It is my appeal to all citizens of the district and the state, that anybody receiving such demand notice, calls or having any information in this regard, we urge them to come forward and all their details information shall be kept confidential. They can contact the concerned SP directly,” SP Rituraj Ravi said.