Meghalaya home minister rubbishes GNLA allegation

SHILLONG: Meghalaya home minister HDR Lyngdoh on Thursday rubbished Garo National Liberation Army’s (GNLA) claim that the policemen they killed and injured on Monday in East Garo Hills were not on patrolling duty but were extorting money from truckers,
Terming the allegation “baseless”, he said the government will take extra precaution to ensure security of police personnel. “Police patrolling will be further intensified,” he added. He said the government would not tolerate any such activity by militant organizations in the state. He hinted that more police personal would be deployed in those areas affected by militancy.
Four police personnel were shot dead by GNLA militants in an ambush at Nengapatchi in East Garo Hills on Monday evening. The incident occurred when the police was on a highway patrol on NH-62 at Nengpatchi, about 4 km from Dobu towards Darugre. In total, five persons were killed – four policemen and one civilian. Two rifles, one carbine and 2 SLRs were reported to be missing after the incident.
On the other hand, chief minister Mukul Sangma has reiterated his government’s firm resolve and commitment to take all necessary steps to tackle the problem posed by GNLA and other such groups and maintained no stone will be left unturned in ensuring peace across the state.
The government has already announced an ex gratia grant of Rs 7.5 lakh to the next of the kin of the deceased police personnel. Condemning the cowardly act by the suspected GNLA rebels, the CM said, “Such acts deserve to be condemned by all sections of society. The government will not rest until the perpetrators of this heartless act are apprehended and dealt with a firm hand in accordance with the law.”
Extending his “sincere sympathies” to the bereaved families, Sangma iterated that their” selfless sacrifice” for the cause of peace and security in the state would not go in vain.