Militancy in the Garo hills region continued to dominate the headlines in Meghalaya in 2015. The scenario was a mixed bag.

With several groups operating in the region, the Meghalaya government was forced to take action against the militants.

Last month, Meghalaya High Court came out with a severe observation on the law and order situation in the Garo hills. The court went to the extent of asking the Centre to "consider" the use of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, in the five districts of the western region of Meghalaya.

As per the statistics provided by the Meghalaya police, from January 1, 2015, until December 8, there were 301 militant-related incidents. These statistics were a pointer to the grim situation in the region.

In these incidents, 218 militants were arrested while 54 of them surrendered. Another 39 militants were killed while 78 arms and 837 ammunition were seized. Police were also able to bust seven camps belonging to militant groups.

The militant groups active in the Garo hills include the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB), Ulfa, Liberation of A'chik Elite Force (LAEF), United A'chik Liberation Army (UALA), A'chik National Co-operative Army (ANCA), A'chik National Liberation Army (ANLA), A'chik Songna An'pachakgipa Kotok (AS-AK), A'chik National United Force (ANUF), GNAF, A'chik Matgrik Elite Force (AMEF), GNUF, United A'chik National Front (UANF) and others. During the same period, the militants killed 18 civilians and seven security personnel.

Alarmingly, militant groups like the GNLA, LAEF, ANCA, ANLA, ASAK, AMEF and others abducted 108 civilians and two police personnel during the period. Both the personnel were later killed. Nearly 81 of them were abducted by motley groups.

However, December 18, 2015 was a historic day for the Garo hills as UALA signed a "peace agreement" with the state government. UALA was formed in 2012 with a strength of over 70 cadres. With the surrender of nine AMEF cadres on December 18, the group has purportedly ceased to exist.

The coming year could see more action in the volatile Garo hills region although chief minister Mukul Sangma has declared that the government would continue to keep its offer open for militant groups to come forward for peace talks for another six months, beginning January 1, 2016. But he said the government would not keep this truce window open forever.