From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: There was fierce exchange of fire on Wednesday morning between security forces and Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) cadres that ended with the guerrillas retreating into the forests in Borsora West Khasi Hills district, police said.
The gunfight lasted for about 15 minutes. Though there were no casualties reported on either side, police were confirming whether any rebel had been injured.
The exchange of fire took place at around 7.30 am in Bara Diengngan and Diengnganrit, about 30 km from Borsora in West Khasi Hills district, when the security forces came under fire from GNLA rebels in hiding.
“The encounter lasted for 15 minutes and the militants numbering seven or eight retreated back to the jungle after intensive firing from police,” R Muthu, Superintendent of Police West Khasi Hills informed reporters.
Police have launched a combing operation in the area. “The combing operation will continue in the area to flush them out,” Muthu added.
Reliable sources informed The Shillong Times on Wednesday that GNLA cadres had significant presence in Borsora with many coal traders in the area having received demand notes seeking ransom of Rs 25-30 lakh. It was also informed that the GNLA has asked the coal traders to pay the ransom by the end of March.
Source also informed that the GNLA demand notes have been received by coal traders in Borsora, Lailad, Rajaju, Cheragoan, Pormawdar, Bakli, Nonghyllam and Nongjri.
Meanwhile, the coal traders of Borsora have urged the State Home Minister to deploy more troops in the area for the security of the businessmen as well as the residents of the area.
The GNLA, which has over 100 cadres in its rank including a few women cadres, was declared a terrorist outfit by the Central Government in January.
