Shillong, Dec 18: The proscribed Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has claimed responsibility for an IED blast that reportedly occurred at the premises of Dhar Company in Shymplong, Elaka Narpuh, in the early hours of December 15, at around 1 am.
In a statement issued to the media, the outfit alleged that the incident was deliberately kept out of the public domain and accused Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar of suppressing information for “personal and political interests.” The group claimed that only local residents were aware of the explosion.
According to the HNLC, the blast caused extensive damage to several vehicles belonging to Dhar Company and resulted in the death of one individual. The outfit expressed condolences to the family of the deceased, while asserting that it did not intend to cause loss of life and had targeted only property, claiming the timing of the blast was chosen to avoid casualties.
The statement was signed by Saińkupar Nongtraw, General Secretary of the HNLC.
As of the filing of this report, there has been no official confirmation or detailed statement from the police or district authorities regarding the incident, the casualty, or the extent of damage.
