SHILLONG:
The recent threat mail sent by a newly formed terror outfit to the chief minister has somewhat rattled the administrative corridors of the state, on April 8.
A day after the Lawei ba Phyrnai sent an email addressed to Conrad Sangma demanding the release of a former Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) leader, failing which the outfit threatened to carry out a series of bombs blast every week in educational institutes, security has been beefed up in schools, colleges and universities across the city.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police (Eastern Range) Davis NR Marak informed that necessary instruction has been passed on to the respective Superintendents of Police (SPs) to take precautionary steps. “(They have been asked) to take all necessary precautions and security measures,” he said.
Stating that the administration is serious about any threat, Marak informed that a case has been registered by the cyber wing and crime branch and both are investigating into the matter. “We are serious about any threat and we will investigate seriously into this case,” Marak said.
In the email, the Lawei ba Phyrnai has categorically demanded the release of former HNLC leader Julius Dorphang, who is currently serving a 25-year jail term after being convicted in a POCSO case. However, Marak said that this not the time to speculate about any alleged link between the new outfit and the HNLC, which recently appointed their representative for the proposed peace talks with the Centre.
“I cannot say and speculate at this point of time. We will be able to say who is involved in this case once we investigate the case,” the DIG said.
The police official however refused to divulge further information and said, “I cannot give you what we are investigating and how we are investigating but I can only say that we are investigating the matter.” Earlier on April 7, Special Director General of Police Idashisha Nongrang too had informed that investigation is on to nab the people behind the email.
Meanwhile, in view of the threat mail to the government, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator AL Hek has called upon the Lawei ba Phyrnai to come and have deliberations with the government about their grievances.
“Two wrongs don’t make a right. So, come and have a talk with the chief minister and state your grievances. And, I can assure that the government will listen. The people have every right to ask the government and it will respond,” said AL Hek.
Lawei ba Phyrnai, in its first email to the chief minister had identifying itself as a “terror group” formed by 37 “qualified jobless youth”. Referring to that, Hek further said that the issue does not confine only to the 37 unemployed youth. “There may be more than 37,000 youth who are unemployed in the state. Therefore, we have to listen to the 37,000 unemployed youth,” he said.
Hek, who is also one of the advisers to the chief minister, further said that it is the sole responsibility of the government to address all kinds of grievances, particularly unemployment issues. Therefore, we need self-introspection (as a government) on this issue,” he said.