KSU leader killed by HNLC ultras in Bangladesh

Shillong, Jun 13: A student activist in Meghalaya, who was missing for the past seven months, was allegedly killed by the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) in Bangladesh.

Khasi Student's Union (KSU) Dawki unit president Phershal Kongwang was allegedly abducted by HNLC militants on December 16 from Shyiap, a picnic spot near the Indo-Bangla border.

The militant organisation had defended itself and even assured the family members of the student leader to track down the persons involved in the crime.

However, four HNLC militants, who surrendered before the BSF personnel at Panisagar Border Outpost Post in Tripura, revealed that Mr Khongwang was abducted by three HNLC cadres based in Bangladesh.

''We were told by our senior cadres that Khongwang was eliminated at Japhlong village in Bangladesh by the HNLC for unknown reasons,'' Pynskhem Marwein, alias Heplux Judas, one of the surrendered HNLC cadres, told reporters here.

Police, however, stated they were still investigating the case as the body of the KSU leader was yet to be recovered.

Along with Marwein, Morning Star Raimon, alias Pyndap, Henry Masai, alias Baiar, and Banjoplang Khongwir, alias Mardor, confirmed that the HNLC had kidnapped and killed the KSU leader.

The surrendered HNLC cadres further alleged that the top leaders of the tribal Khasi militant outfit had gunned down five HNLC cadres for being unable to complete their guerilla warfare training in Bangladesh.

''Our sympathisers in Japhlong and Brisara villages in Bangladesh have turned against us (HNLC) after the news spread that the organisation killed the KSU leader,'' Marwein said.

UNI