Banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) on Thursday detonated an IED blast in West Khasi hills district in Meghalaya.
Security guards in a coke factory at Kyllon Mathei village near Riangdo in West Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya were caught panicky with the explosion on Thursday.
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The IED was detonated at around 1:15 am, sources informed, adding that no one was injured.
The blast has caused partial damage inside the factory.
The HNLC has claimed responsibility for the blast inside a coke factory.
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Sai?kupar Nongtraw, general secretary of HNLC, in a statement, claimed that they planted the IED in the coke factory because it was a benami business.
“The coke factories are operated by non tribals, and these factories are flourishing by the help of the local politicians,” Nongtraw said.
The outfit claimed the IED explosion at Riangdo was “just a small beginning” in order to prove that they are capable of carrying out similar operations in crowded places and cause bigger casualties.
“We have always been provoked by the police about our capabilities, and this is again a warning that we could well plant it anytime at a vulnerable place and then the outcome shall be devastating,” the statement said.
Nongtraw claimed that the IED blast was a warning to all the political leaders, businessmen to refrain from indulging into corrupt practices.
Nongtraw said traders from Rajasthan are doing brisk coal business in Riangdo, but there is no development in those areas.
The HNLC leader said even the employees at the coke factories are all non locals, and the local tribal people are being deprived of jobs.