Tura, July 25: Two teenagers were hurt today, when police attacked a
Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) hideout in Meghalaya’s North Garo Hills.
Meghalaya police attacked the hideout of the outfit at Jogogre, near
Bajengdoba, about 80 km from Tura between 4:30 – 5:30 am.
The encounter between the security forces and the police lasted for
about 15 minutes.
Superintendent of police, North Garo Hills, Jerry Marak said, “We had
specific inputs of the presence of GNLA cadres in the area and the
operation was launched. In the crossfire, two civilians – both
teenagers — were hit in the leg, as they ran into the line of fire in
panic. The militants managed to escape in the confusion”.
The injured civilian has been identified as Brijil M. Sangma, 13 and
Lakshish Sangma, 15. Both the injured are undergoing treatment at
Goalpara civil hospital.
Police recovered a 7.65 pistol with four live rounds and an empty case
from the militant hideout. Police say that a group of five GNLA rebels
were led by Rangdat at the hideout.
Marak has visited the injured at Goalpara civil hospital. “Both of
them sustained only flesh wounds, which were confirmed by the X-Ray.
They were able to sit in bed and should be discharged within a week”,
he added.
At least, twelve hideout of the outfit were raided in the last two
months after the outfit killed 35-year-old woman, Jospin M. Sangma at
Raja Ronggat, near Chokpot on June 3 in presence of her four minor
children and husband.
Security forces led by Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) and CRPF’s
CoBRA commandos have been regularly conducting flush out operation
across Garo hills. In two separate operations, GNLA
commander-in-chief, Sohan D. Shira has escaped from the hideout.
In another operation at East Garo Hills, outfit’s area commander Ajan
Momin alias Jimmy had managed to escape.
Last week, the security forces had busted a GNLA hideout at
Nongalbibra in South Garo Hills.
On July 3, in a flush out operation against militants in North Garo
Hills district, along Assam – Meghalaya, two security personnel were
hurt, while the GNLA militants managed to escape. Police recovered
huge cache of arms and ammunition, including AKs, live ammunition,
claymore mine, etc.(SP News)
