SHILLONG: With the neutralisation of GNLA and its chief Sohan Shira, the ULFA (I), which had a tie-up with the former for several years, is left with no ally in Garo Hills.
Taking advantage of the situation, the police are on a hunt to track down the elusive ULFA (I) leader Dristi Rajkhowa.
Rajkhowa was operating mainly in Garo Hills with the assistance of GNLA.
DGP S.B Singh said without the support of GNLA, ULFA (I) is quite weak in the areas adjoining Garo Hills.
“ULFA (I) cannot survive in Garo Hills without the support of indigenous militant groups,” the DGP said.
Singh admitted that the police have inputs about Rajkhowa though ULFA (I) may not be active in Garo Hills.
The outfit used to help GNLA in carrying out IED attacks in parts of Garo Hills.
After killing Sohan, security forces had made a series of recoveries, including arms and ammunition and IEDs hidden by Shira. “A lot of recovery has been made including IEDs and other weapons which were hidden and we believe the expertise available with GNLA was thanks to their association with ULFA (I),” the police chief added.
