SHILLONG: A series of operations and subsequent recoveries of arms and ammunition belonging to GNLA has surprised the police.
A senior police official said on Monday that there are no more cadres of GNLA in Garo Hills and the only one left is taking shelter in Bangladesh as he is from the neighbouring country.
The police official identified the senior cadre as Kartus, a Bangladeshi GNLA who used to sneak into Garo Hills.
“However, after the police neutralised the GNLA, he has gone back to Bangladesh”, the official said.
The GNLA had arms and ammunition hidden in various parts in Garo Hills and particularly in East Garo hills and South Garo Hills pockets.
However, the massive recovery of arms and ammunition in East Garo Hills following the death of Sohan D. Shira in an encounter on February 24 has baffled and surprised the police officers both in Headquarters as well as at field levels.
Police sources said that most of the recoveries have been in East Garo Hills and R.T.G. Momin, Superintendent of Police, East Garo Hills and his team had encouraged the people to come up with the information.
Till date, there has been recovery of two light machine guns, five AK-47 rifles, three HK rifles and one INSAAS rifle.
Recoveries galore
As many as sixty three pistols, two SLR rifles and seven RPG guns have also been recovered. There was recovery of two SLR rifles which included one that had been modified.
Police also recovered two HMG Rifles, one RPG launcher and three rockets. Four Single Barrel Muzzle Loading guns and a large number of magazines of various rifles such as LMG, SLR, INSAS and pistols were recovered.
What surprised the police was the recovery of two 2 inch mortars which is a weapon capable of causing considerable damage. The recoveries also show that GNLA was well equipped for making explosives with IEDs as police recovered sixty five remote circuits for IEDs and twenty remote control devices.
GNLA had bullet proof vests
GNLA cadres were also prepared to defend themselves as they had bullet proof vests and police recovered five of them. Police also recovered a large number of gelatin sticks and seventy nine electric detonators.
The communication equipment available with GNLA was also formidable and police recovered seventeen number of walkie- talkies along with their batteries as well as solar batteries. There was huge recovery of AK 47 ammunition numbering more than 2000 and 7.7 mm ammunition numbering more than 1000.
Police sources said that GNLA also had considerable holding of 5.56 ammunition and HMG ammunition which were recovered by police.
The recovery of most of these weapons has been from the jungles of Durama range, police said, adding that the main areas from which these weapons have been recovered are Dorengkigre, Nengmaldalgre and Bawegre villages, once stronghold of GNLA militants.
As per the analysis of the police, the huge recoveries of weapons lead to the conclusion that although there were a large number of surrenders before February 24, the recoveries of weapons and ammunition were never so huge.
Those who deserted GNLA surrendered either with their personal or without any weapons.
Although there were recoveries of some weapons on the leads provided by those who surrendered before February 24, the recoveries were very limited.
Sohan terrorised villagers
Sources said that GNLA under Sohan D. Shira had terrorised the residents of Garo Hills so much that they were not willing to give information even though a large number of prominent cadres including the Deputy C-in-C of GNLA, Rupanto and senior commanders like Philiport, Hadeo, Baichung, Rakkam and others had surrendered.
The reason for the fear in the minds of people was due to the large scale kidnapping and killings carried out by GNLA as well as the beating of the villagers at various points of time.
“The gruesome murder of alady in South Garo Hills and killing of the school teacher in East Garo Hills as well as brutal killing of policemen in the ambushes had created a fear psychosis in the minds of people”, police said.
Moreover, killing of an officer belonging to SIB and kidnapping of the BDO have also added to the sense of fear psychosis and therefore the people were not forthcoming to part with the information regarding GNLA, police added.
Changes due to people’s support
However, peace was restored due to the consistent efforts of the government, police department, church leaders and NGOs and along with the operations, the militants were persuaded to join mainstream.
When contacted, DGP S.B. Singh lauded the team efforts of East Garo Hills Police led by R.T.G. Momin, J.F.K. Marak, Commandant SF-10 and the central team from police headquarters, who gave able assistance to East Garo Hills and O. Pasi, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Western Range, Tura who coordinated all these efforts. He also thanked the people of the area who came forward and gave information to the police.
He also indicated that police will continue to pursue various leads and he appealed to all sections of people to come to the fore and give information.
