By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Following the recent incident in which GNLA militants overran the East Garo Hills district Range forest office and decamped with seven rifles, the Forest and Environment department has decided to recall all arms from its various offices in Garo Hills, citing their vulnerability.
A senior government official on Saturday informed that the department has recalled back arms from seven forest offices located in Garo Hills region which have been identified as vulnerable.
“All these arms which have been recalled back have been kept in the strong rooms of the Divisional Forest headquarters,” the official informed.
He, however, admitted that this move would hamper the functions of the officers of the department.
Meanwhile, official sources informed that an illegal saw mill at Rongrengri, suspected to be operated by militants, was closed down recently.
“We have specific inputs which suggest that militants with the help of anti-social elements smuggle timber from the reserved forest and transport them to the illegal saw mills,” he added.
It may be reminded that on the night of October 3, suspected GNLA militants numbering around 15, dressed in camouflage and armed with AK-47 rifles, raided the District Forest Range office at Chidekgre, about 5km from Williamnagar, in East Garo Hills.
The militants managed to run away with seven rifles, including four Single Barrel Breach Loading (SBBL) guns.
None of the forest officials were injured in the incident.