By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State Government has welcomed a recent offer by the ANVC to assist in the ongoing operation against the GNLA.
“We would be more than happy to accept the ANVC offer to assist the Government in the operation against the GNLA. We would welcome the support of any group to end militancy in Garo Hills,” Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh told reporters here on Wednesday.
“I am going to Tura to take the salute for the Independence Day parade. During my two-day stay there I would hold a review meeting on the law and order problem in Garo Hills,” he added.
The Home Minister said he was willing to meet the ANVC leaders to deliberate on their offer during his Garo Hills visit.
Lyngdoh admitted that the ANVC’s familiarity with the dense forest terrain in Garo Hills would come in handy in the ongoing operation against the GNLA militants.
It may be recalled that a delegation of the ANVC, which is under truce with the State Government, had recently met Principal Secretary, Home Affairs, KS Kropha and ADGP (SB), SK Jain and extended their offer to assist the security forces in the ongoing anti-insurgency drive in Garo Hills. Refusing to divulge any detail on the ongoing operation against the GNLA, the Home Minister stated that the Government had chalked out various strategies to effectively combat the militants.
“Use of choppers is one of the many options which we are contemplating. We would not use choppers unless it is required,” the Home Minister maintained.
Commenting on one of the successes achieved in the operation against GNLA, Lyngdoh said the security forces had busted a GNLA training camp.
“I am informed the GNLA have a total of four to five training camps. We are looking to bust all of them,” he added.
