Meghalaya was elated when the outlawed HNLC agreed to meet with the government in the hope of putting an end to terrorism in the region, but it came as a complete surprise when, just weeks after the state government appointed an interlocutor to meet with the outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), a new outfit – Lawei ba Phyrnai – emailed a letter to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
On Thursday, a new group called Lawei ba Phyrnai sent Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma an email demanding the release of former HNLC leader Julius K Dorphang by Sunday, threatening to blow up an LP school if their demand was not met. Dorphang, a member of the HNLC, is currently serving a 25-year term after being found guilty of raping a juvenile girl in 2017.
Dorphang shall be freed and left alone inside a bus at the ISBT platform at 10:00 pm sharp on April 9, 2022, according to a mail received by the group’s press secretary, who claimed to have been a teacher before his employment was terminated.
“It wasn’t worth your time to keep an eye on us.” This IP address, like the preceding one, has been persuaded. “To save you time, our IP address is 114.143.108.143, after which it will bounce to 158.144.109.170, then to 152.57.86.143, before moving from 158.144.114.36; 103.226.236.243; 158.144.59.70, and lastly 114.143.108.89,” the email stated.
Surprisingly, the email that detailed the newly established organisation also stated, “I understand this is turning into a numbers game, thanks to our computer experienced software engineer Organising Secretary.” I’m sure you’re thinking something along those lines. Why did this M.Tech student join a rogue organisation? Begin by blaming yourself”.
The group had sent its first email on April 1, identifying itself as a “terrorist group” composed of 37 “qualified jobless youth”, threatening that bombs would start to detonate every week starting on May 1, 2022.
The email threatened to harm a number of educational institutions, saying, “Our first target is the MBOSE building; next will be St. Anthony’s School and College, where I graduated.” And even NEHU, where I earned my dipoma”. the mail stated.
It further stated not to waste time trying to find them. “You’d better get your troops moving if you want to catch the first bomb. Now the clock is ticking. Best wishes!” it mentioned.
Governor Satya Pal Malik, Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court Sanjib Banerjee, Labour Minister Sanbor Shullai, Principal Secretary GHP Raju, and six others were copied on the email.
Soon after State Home Minister Lakhmen Rymbui stated that talks with the banned HNLC would be unconditional, the police revealed the letter. The email was also shared to a number of media outlets in the state.
