In a big development, HNLC – a proscribed militant group in Meghalaya – has served extortion notices to political leaders from the state.
Several Meghalaya ministers and MLAs have been served with extortion notices by HNLC, a militant outfit, from the state.
This was revealed by Meghalaya deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong in an interview to news agency PTI.
The Meghalaya police has launched an investigation in regards to the allegations.
Also read: Manipur: Night curfew to continue, partial relaxations announced
“We are aware of the fact that ministers and MLAs have received these (extortion notices) and the matter is under investigation,” Tynsong told PTI.
The ministers and MLAs in Meghalaya received extortion notices via SMSs or WhatsApp messages in their personal phone numbers.
The militants have demanded at least Rs 10 lakh from the political leaders as “income tax”.
Other than the political leaders, many businessmen in the state have also received extortion notices.
Also read: Assam plans digitisation of land records by 2023
The demand of money as “income tax” by the HNLC comes in the backdrop of the violent protests that erupted in Meghalaya’s capital city – Shillong last week.
Violent protest and clashes were reported from several areas in Shillong and nearby areas following the death of former HNLC leader Cheristerfield Thangkhiew in an ‘encounter’ with state police on August 13.
Prior to that the HNLC had carried out an IED explosion at Laitumkhrah market in Shillong on August 10.
Two persons had sustained injuries in the blast.