By Our Reporter
Shillong: Taking a tough posture against the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), the State government has decided to go all out to neutralise the banned outfit.
Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh after a meeting with top officials of his department on Monday said “The government has no intention to hold talks with the banned Garo militant oufit.”
“Legally, the government can not negotiate with any banned outfit and if they don’t lay down arms, there will be no other option but to carry out operations to neutralise them,” Lyngdoh said.
Commenting on the safe release of the two abducted MeECL engineers – Apus Pohthmi and Boniface Majaw, the Home Minister said strategies adopted by the police force had compelled the militant group to release the duo unharmed.
Lyngdoh also refuted reports which said that ransoms were paid by the government to the GNLA to secure the safe return of the two engineers.
Reiterating Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma’s comment on the ability of the police force to handle the GNLA, Lyngdoh said, “The government does not intend to seek the army’s help to deal with the Garo militant outfit.
“As of now our police force is capable enough”, Lyngdoh added.
