Guwahati: Meghalaya Police arrested two overground workers of the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) on December 18 for their alleged involvement in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast at a Dhar Company worksite in Shymplong village of East Jaintia Hills district.
The blast occurred on December 15 at a workers’ campsite, damaging a water tanker parked at the site. Although the driver was inside the vehicle at the time of the explosion, he escaped unhurt, and no casualties were reported. Police confirmed that the accused admitted to planting the explosive device. The bomb detection squad later verified that the IED contained high-intensity explosives, including commercial gelatin sticks.
East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police Vikas Kumar said the incident formed part of a larger conspiracy. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted and is actively pursuing multiple leads linked to the case.
Police registered the case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including attempt to murder, terrorist activities, and mischief, along with provisions of the Explosive Substances Act. Since the explosion did not result in any loss of life, investigators did not invoke charges related to death.
The banned outfit HNLC later claimed responsibility for the attack, alleging that the incident was linked to the company’s refusal to meet extortion demands allegedly connected to Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar. Police dismissed the group’s claim that the blast caused a fatality, clarifying that reports circulating on social media about deaths were false and misleading.
Authorities plan to produce the arrested accused before a court on December 19 and seek police remand for further interrogation, while security agencies continue operations to apprehend other suspects involved in the case.
