Meghalaya | HNLC rebels gun down Romeo Lyngdoh

Shillong, May 15, 2019:

The banned militant outfit Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has claimed to have gunned down one Romeo Lyngdoh at Lapalang village in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya.

The militant outfit has claimed that its cadres gunned down Lyngdoh in his village located near the Indo-Bangladesh border.

Two persons went to Lyngdoh's residence, and called him out late at night at around 10 pm on Sunday, police said.

When Lyngdoh came out of the house to investigate, his relatives heard gun shots which allegedly killed him on the spot.

HNLC general secretary and publicity secretary Saiñkupar Nongtraw claimed in a statement emailed to media houses on Tuesday that HNLC army cadres were responsible for the death of Romeo Lyngdoh due to his involvement in activities against the HNLC and the ‘Jaidbynriew.' The HNLC also said that they had been hunting

The HNLC alleged that Lyngdoh was a “sanctioned agent” who worked as police informer, and was instrumental in recruiting informers for the state police locally, and also from Bangladesh.

The HNLC has further alleged that in 2016, when HNLC cadres were arrested from Pynursla along with IEDs, he was the one who had provided information to police about the HNLC cadres and claimed that the deceased was on police payroll.

The militant outfit also said that Hynñiewtrep people working in the police department and intelligence branch should not take pride in what they do against the ‘Jaidbynriew’.

The militant organization has further resolved to eliminate all "viruses" responsible for the death of cadres. They have stated that they shall "hit first", and then make their claims legitimate.

The HNLC has also promised retaliation and stated that as long as the government uses violence to combat violence, they shall continue to resort to violence. They have further asserted that their fingers are ready to press the trigger.