Shillong, Apr 10 (PTI) The Meghalaya government today
served a week's ultimatum to the Garo National Liberation Army
(GNLA) to surrender all its arms before the government or else
'force' would be used against them, officials said today.
The ultimatum was served following police reports that
a large number of youngsters were presently at the camp of the
GNLA apart from few armed militants, Meghalaya Director
General of Police N Ramachandran told PTI.
"We have given them seven days' time to give
themselves up to the authorities with whatever weapons they
have, failing which the police will have to use force to
attack and destroy those camps," Ramachandran said.
The police chief warned that security forces will be
compelled to use 'lethal arms' as the militants are equipped
with 'sophisticated' weapons.
Intelligence sources said about 120 persons were
presently housed in the main camp identified by the police in
one of the thick jungles of Garo Hills.
Maintaining that the security forces have so far
exercised 'utmost restraint' while carrying out operations
against the GNLA militants to avoid collateral damage and
civilian casualties, the DGP said the GNLA militants have been
resorting to barbaric killings of innocent citizens,
kidnappings for ransom and extortion of money in the name of
welfare of the tribal people.
The ultimatum was served ahead of the 'mourning day'
announced by the militant outfit from 6 AM - 6 Pm on April 12.