Shillong, Dec 20 

The outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) Thursday called for a 12-hour shutdown in Meghalaya Dec 23 to protest the arrest of several youths on charges of damaging government property, a leader said.

The outfit said the decision to call the shutdown in Hynniewtrep land in eastern Meghalaya from 6 a.m. that day, was taken at a meeting of the outfit's central command Wednesday.

"The meeting expressed resentment over arrests made by police in which many youths have been lodged inside jails due to false implications against them. Many youths are being blamed for causing damage to government property," said HNLC spokesman Sainkupar Nongtraw.

The HNLC also demanded the "immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and detainees without delay".

The outfit has been demanding a sovereign Hynniewtrep homeland in Meghalaya.