Encounter finding is false: ANVC-B
SHILLONG: The tall claims of the ANVC-B that its cadres clashed with the GNLA and injured three rival members has been taken with a pinch of salt by Meghalaya police that has obtaining clinching evidence that it was stage managed by the group to shake off suspicion of its involvement in the killing of two BSF jawans and snatching of weapons from a border observation post in South West Khasi Hills.
Following claims by the ANVC-B that it had attacked a GNLA camp and injured three cadres at a place called Rongmil Chiring in South Garo Hills, a special team of the Meghalaya police was deputed to scout the area.
The police team in its search never came across any militant camp and instead found a small empty thatched room in a jhum field that was riddled with bullet holes. A blood trail led to the recovery of a dog injured with a bullet wound.
Villagers from the area who were questioned by the police team confirmed that there had been no encounter or confrontation by any two groups but six militants suspected to be from the ANVC-B had taken rest at the jhum hut and before departure riddled it with bullets.
The militants also left behind an old damaged walkie talkie handset with some empty ammunition shells in the hut.
“It was a complete lie. The ANVC-B were the only persons present in the jhum field, they opened fire on the empty hut and planted one worthless and old wireless set with empty cases to make it look like an encounter,” said Meghalaya police officials who went through with the investigation.
According to police, the firing took place from a close range which is seldom the case during encounters.
The site of the alleged ‘encounter’ is located close to Mahadeo on the extreme corner of South Garo Hills adjoining Khasi Hills region. To reach the site one has to trek through Chimitap area on the fringes of Balpakram national park. “The area is not known for GNLA activity but the ANVC-B under its commander Mukosh Marak,” said Meghalaya police.
Officials involved with counter-insurgency operations say that GNLA camps are seldom left open but instead have several layers of sentry posts before the main camp can be located.