Shillong, Feb 11: Worsening law and order situation in Garo Hills region coupled with mushrooming of militant groups continues to affect Meghalaya.
Adding to the dismay of the state Government, Police in Meghalaya have claimed that a new outfit – United People’s Revolutionary Alliance (UPRA) has devised strategies to unleash terror in Garo hills. This new development has come to light after Monday’s attack on a government officer at Rongdotchi, near Baghmara in South Garo Hills.
However, to deal with the militancy with firm hand, the Central Government has recently sanctioned four companies of additional forces for counter insurgency operations in Garo Hills.
Sources from the State Government on Wednesday confirmed that the four companies were sanctioned in Garo Hills to deal with the ever increasing militancy in Garo Hills.
The overall law and order situation of Garo Hills was also discussed in a review meeting which was attended by top Government and state police officials besides the Home Minister.
It is learnt that the meeting reviewed the overall law and order situation in the state including the militancy infested Garo Hills besides certain important decisions were also taken which was not revealed to media.
Sources said that the Government is taking whatever steps possible within its resources to deal with insurgents who are taking toll on Garo Hills.
“All possible steps are being taken to contain militancy in Garo Hills,” sources said.
It is given to understand that UPRA is a conglomeration of several outfits including the breakaway faction of A’chik National Volunteers Council (ANVC-B), A’chik National Liberation Army (ANLA) and United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA).
The situation in Garo Hills seems to be becoming more grim each passing day as attacks and abductions of people including Government officials has become a common phenomenon and a senior district magistrate of South Garo Hills escaped unhurt when unidentified militants opened fire on his vehicle after he refused to heed their signal to stop near Baghmara on Monday morning.
With ANVC and ANVC Breakaway fraction already under the peace pact and GNLA continuing to unleash terror, the mushrooming of militant outfit in the state is definitely a major concern. However, the state Government has already floated advertisement for the recruitment of commandoes for the Special Force 10 to deal with counter insurgency which is expected to take a concrete shape soon.(SP News)
