SHILLONG: Director General of Police (DGP) PJP Hanaman has said that Assam-based proscribed rebel outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) is providing logistic support to GNLA in manufacturing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
“We have specific inputs that the ULFA cadres are giving training to the GNLA cadres to manufacture the IED explosives. The ULFA cadres, led by its senior leader Drishti Rajkhowa, are imparting training to GNLA rebels in their camps,” Hanaman told reporters here on Saturday.
Rajkhowa along with 15 to 20 cadres had been in GNLA camps for a long time, he said adding “ULFA has been using the Durama-Bajengdoba route to reach the camps.”
“This latest development (link between GNLA and ULFA) has given a new dimension to the situation in Garo Hills,” DGP said.
Hanaman also informed that during the recent raid in the camp of GNLA commander-in-chief Sohan D Shira near Nengsang Adugre in the Durama Hills , police had seized a large amount of timing devices and circuit “which are normally used for manufacturing explosives devices.”
“Besides the mechanical IEDs,the militants have also started using the remote controlled devices,” he said.
Referring to Friday’s incident in Garo Hills, he said that GNLA under the self-styled area commander of West Command Baichung and Jarek carried out the ambush and the subsequent IED blast.
While admitting that policemen should have taken precautions, he said that directives were issued to all police stations to vary the patrolling timings.
On abduction of traders and labourers, Hanaman said that police have also identified a new trend of the militant groups wherein the “ULFA carries out abduction from Assam and holds them captive in the GNLA camps.”
When asked about the prevailing situation in Garo Hills, he said, “The situation is troublesome but not out of control”.