Shillong, Jan. 30: Eight Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) militants, including four top leaders of the outfit’s military wing, laid down arms here today.

Armstrong Lyngdoh alias Rang Trong alias Shining, a 1992 batch self-styled second lieutenant of the banned outfit, led the group. The other members from the military wing included its in-charge Kitdor Syndor alias Lung Alias Ktung, Stonderly Lyngkhoi, a self-styled sergeant major, Donlang Kharkulia alias Bonifas Dkhar, a self-styled sergeant, and Rapstar Bareh alias Mathew.

The others in the group are Robertson Kharshiing alias Mathew and of the finance wing, Khrawkuparlang Kharshiing alias Ban of the medical wing and Stevan Rymbai alias Phan, an overground activist of the finance wing. Meghalaya home minister Robert Lyngdoh, director-general of police L. Sailo, the Khasi-Jaintia Church Leaders Forum member Archbishop Dominic Jala attended the surrender ceremony at the police headquarters here.