Arrest of GNLA chief Champion R Sangma labelled as the biggest achievement
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Much of the year’s news revolved around the surge of violence in the hands of various militant groups which dominated Garo Hills. The biggest news in the law and order casket was the arrest of GNLA Chairman Champion Sangma in July after the militant group was declared a terror group by the Centre in January this year.
The worst came about with the breakaway faction of the ANVC (ANVC-B) taking up arms that worsened the law and order situation in Garo Hills.
The HNLC also showed signs of resurrection in 2012 on three occasions, but police tried to foil their attempts to regroup.
In Khasi Hills, the only law and order problem was the series of agitations called by the NGOs in protest against the enrolment of the dubious people in the electoral rolls. The city witnessed violent incidents with vehicles being torched and shops ransacked during the agitations over the issue of dubious voters.
During the agitations on the issue of enrolment of doubtful people in the electoral rolls, agitators also torched Deputy Speaker Sanbor Shullai’s vehicle parked near the KSU central body office at Jaiaw.
The GNLA rampage began with the kidnapping of three Khasi engineers by them.
The GNLA abducted three senior MeECL engineers, Apus Pothmi, Bonnieface Majaw and Marshal R Swer on January 24 at gunpoint from their quarters in Rongkhon area. Swer was later released unharmed. The remaining two MeECL engineers were finally released on February 4.
The attack by militant groups on two prominent political leaders-MPCC working president Deborah C Marak and Community Rural Development Minister Saleng M Sangma was among the major militancy related incidents of the year.
The MPCC working president had a narrow escape when heavily armed ANVC (B) cadres fired in the air at a public meeting in her constituency in East Garo Hills district on November 27. The police later managed to arrest seven militants involved in the attack at Rongjeng.
Suspected GNLA militants lobbed a grenade at the private residence of Community and Rural Development Minister, Saleng Sangma at Ringregitam at Tura on December 1.
Earlier during the year, the GNLA had also planted explosives to target the Minister, but in vain.
Considering one of the most shocking retaliatory attacks by militants on a police official, the GNLA ultras first attacked the parental home of East Garo Hills District Superintendent of Police JFK Marak in Williamnagar town and then laid a trap for his convoy by placing a powerful landmine which was detected by the police in time. The attack was against police raid at the home of GNLA army chief Sohan D Shira who managed to escape the clutches of police many times.
Following the escapes of Shira, the State Government was compelled to announce Rs 10 lakh reward for any information on the GNLA leader.
Besides abductions, the GNLA also killed one John Ch Marak alleging that he was collecting money in the name of GNLA and raping minor girls.
Armed GNLA militants also shot dead a retired police constable Warnath S Sangma in East Garo Hills during the year.
GNLA militants shot dead a 32-year-old science school teacher Denybirth G Momin in Resubelpara in the presence of his wife and two children.
Retaliation from the police was the good part of achievement against militancy in Garo Hills. Police commandos from East Garo Hills shot dead the ‘action wing commander’ of the GNLA Jeany Ch Momin along with three other militants during an encounter near Mendipathar on April 6.
The GNLA in May last was also forced to call off their 300 hours “dawn to dusk” bandh in the Garo Hills after a huge public outcry against their one week bandh in the three districts of Garo Hills.
Too boost the morale of the police, the Centre in August this year accorded the prestigious President’s Police Medal for Gallantry for Constable Hubert S Marak, who had infiltrated into the GNLA as a police mole as part of Meghalaya Police’s counter-insurgency operation-Birdie II.
HNLC resurgence
The year also witnessed the attempt by the banned militant outfit HNLC to revive itself.
The first major attempt by the HNLC to re-emerge was after its cadres fired 20 rounds of AK-47 rifles at Lumdiengjri police station. The HNLC later claimed responsibility for the attack.
The HNLC also tried to exhibit its flags in parts of Khasi Hills, but the police action prevented their efforts to show their presence.
The former HNLC chairman Julius Dorphang along with seven others were also arrested during the year for alleged assault, intimidation and damage of private property in February.
Another disruption to law and order came about with members of the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) hurling petrol bombs at Rajabagan market in Ri Bhoi district, damaging 87 shops belonging to different communities.
The Assam police arrested HANM Western Ri-Bhoi Zone president K Thongni for his alleged involvement in the burning of the Assam Police Outpost at Jirang. The HANM leader was later released.
HANM president Lamphrang Kharbani was also arrested by the police during the year for possession of illegal arms. Recurring tension in the disputed Langpih area was prominent for most parts of the year.
The border area of Langpih also witnessed a virtual onslaught by Assam Police when over 30 vehicles filled with Assam Police personnel and a Magistrate landed at Langpih and dismantled the newly constructed Dorbar Hall of the Hima Raid Mynsaw.
Later series of meeting by the officials of both Assam and Meghalaya ensured peace in the border.