Amid reports of alleged extortion threats issued by the banned militant outfit Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council to traders and businessmen in Shillong, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister in-charge of Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong on Thursday urged citizens not to live in fear, asserting that the State Government would deal “very very firmly” with any criminal or HNLC group operating in the State.
Addressing mediapersons, Tynsong appealed to the public to cooperate with law enforcement agencies by promptly sharing information related to threats, intimidation or criminal activities, while assuring that the Government and police machinery remain fully committed to safeguarding citizens.
“I would like to request the citizens of the state, dont be sacred, we are there but incase you do not share such information with us, again we will have problem. I would request all of them kindly don’t be scared, be it hnlc, be it a group of thief or any group of criminals we are there and we are firm we will deal with them very very firmly from now on,” Tynsong said.
The Deputy Chief Minister further said, “My only concern to all those who recieved messages please don’t hesitate to come quiely, file FIR or inform us. We are here to make sure that every body are safe and doing business peacefully, so any that kind of messages if they recieved I will request them kindly sent it immediately to police. May be businessmen has recied two three weeks back they kept quiet, they didn’t share with us.”
The Deputy Chief Minister’s remarks come against the backdrop of reports that the proscribed HNLC had allegedly circulated extortion notices to shopkeepers and businessmen in the State capital through WhatsApp messages, demanding payment of what the outfit described as “income tax”.
According to reports, several traders were allegedly asked to pay amounts running into lakhs of rupees within a stipulated timeframe and were reportedly threatened with consequences in the event of non-compliance.
Despite the growing concern among sections of the business community, Meghalaya Police have maintained that no formal First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged so far in connection with the alleged extortion notices.
The Deputy Chief Minister’s remarks come against the backdrop of reports that the proscribed HNLC had allegedly circulated extortion notices to shopkeepers and businessmen in the State capital through WhatsApp messages, demanding payment of what the outfit described as “income tax”.
According to reports, several traders were allegedly asked to pay amounts running into lakhs of rupees within a stipulated timeframe and were reportedly threatened with consequences in the event of non-compliance.
Despite the growing concern among sections of the business community, Meghalaya Police have maintained that no formal First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged so far in connection with the alleged extortion notices.
