From Our Correspondent
TURA: The Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), which suffered a devastating blow on Tuesday with the death of its ‘deputy army chief’ and three other cadres in a police operation, has decided not to boycott the upcoming Independence Day celebrations, and instead called for a 24-hour Garo Hills bandh on August 16.
GNLA ‘chairman’ Champion R Sangma informed The Shillong Times through an email that his organisation remains committed to a separate state within the Indian constitution and would in no way hamper the country’s national celebrations.
However, he did mention that the organisation would not take kindly to anyone failing to adhere to its bandh call on Tuesday.
The outfit has accused the police of killing its cadres in cold-blooded murder. The GNLA leaders claim that its four senior members were not given a chance to surrender and were shot dead from close range while they were fast asleep.
Police have refuted the allegations pointing out to the heavy exchange of fire and one of its officers sustaining bullet injuries leading to his hospitalisation.
The outfit has said that the courts must take cognizance of the incident.
“The Shillong bench of the Gauhati High Court should take suo moto against this extra judicial killing which strikes the conscience of all citizens,” informed the GNLA ‘chairman’.
“Any celebration concerning Meghalaya — be it Meghalaya Day, U Kiang Nangbah Day or U Tirot Singh Day — will lead to a Garo Hills bandh. Only Togan Nengminza Day shall be celebrated,” warned the GNLA ‘chairman’.
Sangma further stated that the organisation would not be weakened by the recent loss but termed it a ‘national tragedy’.
The State Police has already geared itself for any eventuality over possible retaliatory attacks by the GNLA.
Security has been tightened and checking of vehicles and counter-insurgency operations are in full swing to prevent any security breach.