TURA: The GNLA’s ‘action group’ formation created by its chief Sohan D Shira to retaliate against police for loss of his cadres have been identified as the prime accused in the cold blooded killing of two unarmed cops on the outskirts of Williamnagar, last week.
Williamnagar police revealed that the action group headed by GNLA commander Jimmy orchestrated the ambush on the off duty policemen who were heading into Williamnagar town from their camp site at Bolkingre village to purchase rations.
“Sohan has ordered his cadres to target police personnel who are even unarmed and on leave in retaliation for the reverses he has suffered due to the continuous operations against his group,” said district police chief Davis Nestell R Marak.
Three armed rebels are said to have been spotted fleeing into nearby Nengmandalgre village shortly after the firing. Nengmandalgre village is the home area of Sohan Shira.
According to police, the GNLA chief was furious on getting news about the death of his senior member and close friend Katrak who was shot dead by SWAT commandos during an attack on his hideout near Patalgre village, 15 km from Williamnagar, on September 27.
On the day of the Patalgre encounter, GNLA militants who fled after the attack later regrouped and ambushed the police teams heading back to town with the body of Katrak.
The militants ambushed the police teams at Dorengkigre village leading to another gun fight. There were no casualties in the second encounter.
“Ever since we established the police camp at Bolkingre as the staging point for launching of anti- militancy operations, the GNLA has suffered reverses and their activities contained. They had even wanted to attack the camp in frustration,” said the SP citing intelligence inputs.
