HNLC on Friday took the responsibility of planting an IED in the premises of a coke factory at Umpleng (Bthei) village in East Jaintia Hills district.

The IED was recovered on Wednesday by the East Jaintia Hills district police and defused later.

The HNLC also warned stern action against the Doloi of Elaka Sutnga and headman if they failed to cancel the no-objection certificate (NOC) which was issued to the M/s Meghalaya Coke.

In a statement issued on Friday, HNLC general secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said that the outfit conducted an enquiry after witnessing the opposition by three villages and NGOs against the setting up of the coke factory in the district.

Nongtraw claimed that the Doloi of Elaka Sutnga and headman of Umpleng had issued the NOC to the coke factory by misusing power, despite the matter being intervened by the High Court.

“We were compelled to plant the IED at the coke factory,” the outfit claimed.

“However, on seeing the presence of many local villagers, our cadres decided not to go ahead with attack and also avoided to open fire at the security guards of the factory,” the outfit further claimed.

The outfit demanded immediate cancellation of the NOC issued to the factory and said, “outsiders should not be allowed to settle in the area”.

According to Nongtraw, NGOs were chased away if they want to check the trade license and labour license in the area.

“The Doloi had also come up with rules that residents of the Elaka will be ostracized and all their works/businesses will be withdrawn if they support the local NGOs,” Nongtraw added.

The HNLC also alleged that the Doloi of Elaka Sutnga has been known for abusing his powers, how he had given the NOC to Nepalese to establish Umthe village and also tried to recognize Soo Kilo as a village, which is a market place known for rampant gambling and other illegal activities.