Tura, Jan 11: A blast damaged two vehicles at Tura in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills this evening.
Police said the explosion took place near the Hawakhana petrol depot at around 6 pm.
“It was a crude bomb. There were no people nearby hence there was no injury. Two vehicles were damages in the blast,” a police official said.
Police suspect the hand of Achik National Volunteer Council-Breakaway in the blast, though the outfit has not claimed responsibility.
Cadres of the outfit had two days back fled the main camp set up at Tura, following a stand-off with Tura police and a firing incident in which two police personnel were injured.
Some 100 ANVC-B cadres used to stay in that camp since signing of an interim peace pact with the government in 2012. Chief of the breakaway faction of ANVC Rimpu Marak also used to stay at the camp.
Earlier today, the ANVC-B had vowed that it would not “abandon” the interim agreement signed with the government but had urged Government and the leaders of the civil society to support the cadres who have come to join the mainstream “instead of making them feel insecure”.
“The desperation of the cadres will only disrupt the peace in Garo Hills for which we call upon sensible initiative from the Government and social leaders as well. ANVC-B will not abandon the agreement signed by the Chairman nor will it retaliate,” the Garo outfit had said in a statement issued at noon.
“Safety and rehabilitation of the cadres should be worked out by the Government,” it said.(SP News)
