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Shillong, May 2: Two persons were injured after suspected GNLA militants lobbed a hand grenade at the weekly Shahlang market in West Khasi Hills this evening.
Around 6pm, two GNLA militants came to the weekly market at Shahlang, nearly 70km from Nongstoin, and lobbed a hand grenade before running away from the site, West Khasi Hills superintendent of police R. Muthu said.
He said the intensity of the blast led to the injuries of two persons identified as Sudir Mahanta and Anwar Hussain.
The tyre of the truck which Mahanta was driving burst under the impact of the blast.
Hussain is a chicken vendor at a roadside market. The injuries were not serious and both have been shifted to a hospital at Riangdo, the police officer said.
The militants could not be traced. Muthu said combing operations were on to trace the culprits.
Shahlang is a coal mining area. According to the police officer, the movement of GNLA cadres have considerably come down of late.
At a news conference here this evening, Meghalaya chief minister Mukul M. Sangma said the GNLA was under tremendous pressure from the security forces, leading the outfit to organise the 144-hour bandh in Garo hills. He also said some cadres had sent feelers for surrendering.
Sangma reiterated that militancy in Garo hills did not occur overnight and it was wrong to pin the blame on his government for the present situation.
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