UALA denies loss
TURA: Two suspected militants of the Norrok X Momin-led United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA) have been shot dead in Goalpara district, not far from Resubelpara, during an early morning encounter between the ultras and a joint team of Assam Police and Army personnel.
Speaking to The Shillong Times over phone, Goalpara district police chief N. Gogoi informed that that the incident occurred at around 4am when an Army team backed by Assam Police personnel that was out on patrol duty spotted movement of the militants.
“Around 5 to 6 persons were crossing the area taking advantage of the darkness when they were spotted and challenged,” Gogoi said.
The incident occurred in the hilly Kaldang Nala, near Thantipahar village, approximately 4-5 kms from Resubelpara, district headquarters of North Garo Hills.
In the reported exchange of fire two militants were killed while the rest fled taking cover of the darkness.
From the encounter site security force personnel recovered two pistols, two powerful 36 HE (high explosive) hand grenades, 2 crude bombs, two detonators, two gelatine sticks, UALA documents, seven rounds of live AK ammunition and seven rounds of live 7.65 ammunition for pistols besides empty cases.
Meanwhile, the UALA military chief Norrok X Momin called up The Shillong Times office and denied his group’s involvement in the encounter.
“All our boys are with me in our camp. No one is unaccounted for,” said the elusive Norrok who is wanted for several attacks on civilians in both Goalpara and Williamnagar.
The bodies of the two militants gunned down have been taken to Goalpara civil hospital morgue to await identification.
While the prime suspect is on the UALA it is also a known fact that other outfits operate in the Garo Hills region using documents of rival factions to avoid getting the blame during incidents of kidnapping, extortion and killings.
The Resubelpara-Goalpara region has long been an area of militant activity for several groups, including GNLA, ANLA, UALA, ULFA and even petty criminals in the guise of militant organizations.
The defence source said the UALA was now trying to ‘fill the vacuum’ created by disbanding of ANVCand its splinter group.
The UALA was responsible for killing seven Rabha villagers in Goalpara district along Assam-Meghalaya border in November last year. (With inputs from Guwahati correspondents)