Shillong Feb 22: A senior cadre of the proscribed Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) surrendered before the Director General of Police (DGP), R Chandranathan at the state’s police headquarters on Wednesday.

The surrendered militant was identified as Wankupar Marweiñ (42) alias Bahhep Trai Siej. He held the post of “finance secretary” of the HNLC. He is the resident of Mawlai Nonglum.

Assistant Inspector General of police (A), G K Iangrai, said Wankupar was first arrested in 1999 for his alleged involvement in various activities of the HNLC.

“After being released on bail, he rejoined the HNLC in 2000 and left for Bangladesh where he was imparted arms training in Chittagong Hill Tract by senior cadres of the HNLC,” Iangrai said in a statement.

Later, Wankupar was appointed as “finance secretary” under the political wing of the outfit.

According to police, Wankupar decided in the recent months to surrender and join the mainstream.
“His surrender came as a major blow to the HNLC particularly the finance wing which is experiencing major crisis at present. The HNLC is desperately trying to revive its strength and power in the state where several attempts were made to lure vulnerable sections of youth in the state to join its fold,” the police statement said.

Stating the HNLC is confined to issuing random press releases, the statement said that the HNLC’s attempt to strengthen the organization, raise funds through extortions attempting fresh recruitment of cadres through social media and sensationalizing their presence and strength by using IEDs could so far been thwarted effectively by the state police.