Police to act more tough against rebels

Operations to continue

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, March 8: The Meghalaya government has decided to continue with the Operation Hillstorm-3 for the next three months.

Meghalaya Police have sent additiol force to Garo Hills to strengthen the ongoing Operation Hillstorm-3, police informed today.

Police has also sent additiol commandos into Garo Hills to comb the jungles of Durama and to neutralize the militant groups who are on the run during the last two weeks.

Operation Hillstrom-3 was launched by Meghalaya Police on February 24 in Garo Hills districts and in the West Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya.

As many as four GNLA camps were busted; 70 IEDs, 1475 electrical / non-electrical detotors and half a kilogram gelatin explosive materials have been recovered so far during this operation.

Inspector General (Operations), GHP Raju said that reliable intelligence inputs indicated that most of the GNLA leaders such as Rupanto alias Toding, Deputy in-charge and his group, and ASAK leaders such as Reading T Sangma and his group have crossed Durama and holed up in South Garo Hills area.

“Additiol security forces have been dispatched to these areas to seal off all the escape routes and to intensify combing operations in all the villages and interior areas of these jungles,” Raju said.

He also said that Operation Hillstorm-3 would continue for another three months.

“Additiol Special Force-10 Commandos, who are under intense commando training in jungle warfare, would be inducted for special operations against these militants to supplement the SWAT teams who are already involved in counter insurgency operations in Garo Hills,” Raju added.

The Police Department also informed that it has already written to the Government to requisition 12 more Companies of Central Armed Police Forces and six units of CoBRA to supplement the local police for sustained counter insurgency operations in Garo Hills during the coming months.

Raju also said that after the launch of Operation Hillstorm-3, many GNLA cadres are approaching NGOs and church leaders to facilitate their surrender.