SHILLONG: The death of 15 lower level policemen in just two years in violence perpetrated by militants in Garo Hills has exposed the lack of effective planning while the policemen are sent for various errands.
While no policemen were killed in the insurgency related incidents in 2012, the men in uniform were not as fortunate in 2011 and 2013.
In 2011, as many as 10 policemen-havildars and constables- were killed and six injured when GNLA militants attacked them at various intervals.
In the recent incident that took place at Kolapara in South Garo Hills on November 5, the Meghalaya police lost five men. Two AK rifles, a carbine and ammunition were also taken away. Police later recovered one AK rifle from the gypsy which had come under attack of the GNLA militants.
In all these cases, there was no direct encounter between the GNLA and the policemen as the latter, who were assigned to other duties, were caught in the ambush.
In the case of the November 5 incident there was lack of action plan by the police higher ups since the bullet proof truck which was available in Baghmara was not utilized by the policemen who were travelling from Baghmara to Tura.
Which senior police official asked the police men not to take the bullet proof vehicle is a question which is doing the rounds.
There are inputs which say that the five policemen had planned to go in the bullet proof vehicle to bring an UTP, a GNLA deserter, from Tura back to Baghmara.
While in Shillong the UTPs are taken in a covered and fully protected van, the policemen decided to take the gypsy for the task.
The slain policemen used the open gypsy probably to jump out of the vehicle in case of an attack by militants.
Sources also said that a senior police officer was to accompany the policemen in the bullet proof vehicle, but at the last moment, he decided against it. Finally, the policemen were asked to take the gypsy from Baghmara.
What is intriguing is that the GNLA militants, who were waiting for long on the spot of the ambush had clear cut information on the route and specific movement of the gypsy.
The GNLA offensive appeared to be a targeted attack with specific inputs of the movement of the vehicle as just 30 minutes prior to the attack on the police gypsy, the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Galbreth Momin and Gasuapara BDO Dimserita Sangma had passed through the spot of ambush.
Moreover, around the same time, armed BSF personnel were also travelling in a truck through the area.
The DGP, PJP Hanaman has admitted that there was some inputs about the movement of GNLA militants, but the police were not aware of the place chosen by the GNLA to strike.
He has also indicated that there has been some amount of laxity on the part of the police. The casualty was more since it was the driver who was first hit by the bullets of the GNLA cadres following which the vehicle hit upon a hillock.
The GNLA militants who were camping on both sides of the road came close and shot the policemen before snatching away their weapons.
GNLA attack on policemen
November 5, 2013: Five including Havildar Dondiram Marak, Constables Bipul Rabha , Marshanstar Nongdhar, UB constable, Rakki Ch Sangma and driver of Fire service Lekichyne Ryngklem killed by GNLA at Kolapara in South Garo Hills. Two AK rifles, one carbine and ammunition taken away.
October 31,2011: Four police men including unarmed branch constable NR Marak besides a civilian driver killed by GNLA at Nengpatchi, 45 km from Dobu in East Garo Hills. The deceased were Havildars, Probinson Sangma, Victor Marak and constable E. Sangma. Two constables injured. Two AK rifles, one carbine and 2 SLRs taken away.
October15, 2011: Havildar William Mawiong and two constables Sambu Dalu and Grejilistone Momin were lured into the trap by the GNLA militants in West Garo Hills. Mawiong was shot dead while two policemen were tortured.
July 3, 2011: GNLA militants succeed in confusing policemen deployed in their fight against the militants. In their hunt against the GNLA cadres in a village near Williamnagar in East Garo Hills, two teams of the police personnel which mistook each other for militants clashed, resulting in the death of Havildar Gopal Prasad Nunia and constable, Exmarting Marak.
June4,2011: GNLA ambush from a hillock at Tapa Darengchi, about 12km from Mendipathar, East Garo Hills.Havildar Blein Makhroh and battalion constables Duke M Sangma, and Johnhighbirth Marak killed while GG Momin and M Rymbai from the un-armed branch injured. AK 47, INSAS, carbine and SLR rifles, magazines and three jackets snatched away.