‘Police ops on to flush out GNLA from Durama Hills’

SHILLONG: Meghalaya police has launched the third phase of ‘Operation Hillstorm’ against GNLA militants who have entrenched in Durama hills areas.
Meghalaya police PRO G.H.P. Raju on Friday said as per the intelligence provided by the villagers, GNLA has erected camps near their villages and planted IEDs on all the footpaths leading to their camps. These village footpaths are frequently used by innocent villagers who may become potential victims of IED explosions.
To neutralize the GNLA in Durama hills, Meghalaya police and SWAT with support from  Central forces, have launched Operation Hillstorm-3 on Thursday and overran the camp of Rupanto Marak, ‘deputy commander-in-chief’ of GNLA.
According to Raju, police recovered 46 IEDs from around the camp after a fierce gun battle with GNLA militants
He said that the police have credible information that GNLA had sought the assistance and training from ULFA (I) cadres for making a large number of IEDs.
It was also confirmed from the villagers that Drishti Rajkhowa, ‘deputy commander-in-chief’ of ULFA(I) and his cadres has stayed in Sohan’s camp in December last year and prepared the IEDs for planting on all routes leading to their camps.
“Sohan Shira ran away from his camp. Massive operation is underway against Sohan D Shira and his band of dacoits,” Raju added.
Meanwhile, police teams conducted raids at Daribokgre village on the foothills of Durama and arrested one GNLA cadre Everson S Sangma who is wanted in connection with kidnapping of a JCB driver and a labourer from Ganol Apal under Tura police station.
In the last 48 hours of Operation Hillstorm-3, three GNLA camps were busted including that of Sohan D Shira, with recovery of 62 IEDs and arrest of one GNLA cadre, Raju stated.