TURA: A special unit of the proscribed GNLA specifically dispatched to Tura for subversive activities was intercepted and caught on the outskirts of the town on Sunday afternoon leading to the arrest of three cadres along with sophisticated arms.
Following intelligence inputs about the possible entry of a highly trained team of GNLA cadres into the town, Tura police set up several check points on the outskirts of the district headquarters.
A Mahindra Bolero vehicle (ML08-C-4125) coming from the direction of Chokpot was intercepted on the outskirts of the town at Dareng Agal village under Dobasipara police outpost at around 1:30pm.
A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of four weapons and arrest of three cadres. The three militants along with the driver were taken into custody after police commandos found the weapons, which included an AK rifle, hidden under the passenger seats of the vehicle.
An AK 47 rifle with two magazines containing 26 live rounds was recovered along with a automatic Carbine weapon and two automatic pistols holding three rounds. Three improvised explosive devices were also seized from the vehicle together with four camouflage uniforms of the GNLA along with two demand note pads and a seal of the outfit.
The three militants are identified as Prodingstone D Marak (22) of Dejinggre village in Phulbari region, Rongrak M Sangma (21) of Chokpot in South Garo Hills and Bhimsing R Marak (21) of Rodigittim village under Resubelpara in North Garo Hills district.
The driver of the Bolero, Donald R Marak (24) was arrested for his alleged involvement in ferrying the militants.
Preliminary reports from police reveal that the three-member group of the GNLA was dispatched by area commander Baichung Momin to oversee the outfit’s operations and ensure its targeted victims complied with the demands.
“The mere fact that the cadres came from Chokpot, a hot bed of GNLA activities, speaks volumes of the outfit’s intentions to make its presence felt in Tura,” said a senior police officer who conducted the operation on Sunday.