Shillong, July 21: The Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) last night clarified that it had no intention of harming civilians, days after it had reportedly threatened to detonate explosives in several areas of Meghalaya if the combing operations were not suspended immediately.

The self-styled chairman of the outfit and former deputy superintendent of police, Champion R. Sangma, called up a media house last night in the Garo hills and stated that the group did not intend to harm civilians.

“We have no intention to harm our people. The statement issued by one of our representatives was intended to indicate our capability of simultaneous attacks on government establishments in the state. At no time did we intend to harm civilians,” Sangma said.

Sangma’s statement comes as a relief to the people whohave been feeling jittery since Monday following the purported statement from the GNLA to carry out serial blasts.

Sangma said, if needed, the GNLA would strike at government and security establishments in the state “to prove its potential”.

The former cop also asked the ministers and the legislators not to enter the Garo hills with red beacons or VIP lights on.

“Politicians, be it ministers or legislators, will no longer be allowed to enter the Garo hills with their VIP lights. They do not deserve that privilege,” Sangma said.

Sangma, however, said government officials like deputy commissioners and magistrates can use the red beacon while performing their duties.

The GNLA “chairman” also appealed to civilians to avoid travelling in white Maruti Gypsies.

Such vehicles are primarily used by police personnel in the state.

Yesterday, chief minister Mukul Sangma had said that the government was examining the activities of the GNLA when asked whether a recommendation would be made to the Centre to ban the outfit. He had also said that a probe was on to ascertain whether politicians in the state are lending patronage to the nascent militant group.

“It would be disastrous if any sympathiser is found hand-in-glove with the group,” he said.

The state government had roped in commandos of the elite Combat Battalion for Resolute Action commandos and BSF personnel to flush out militants from the Garo hills.

These forces are assisting Meghalaya’s Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) team to take on the GNLA cadres.

The GNLA, which first featured in late 2009, was formed by Champion R. Sangma, a former deputy superintendent of police, and Sohan D. Shira, a former leader of the A’chik National Volunteers Council. While Sangma is the “chairman,” Shira was made the “commander-in-chief”.

The outfit’s main demand is the creation of a separate state, Garoland.