Tura, Nov. 20: Meghalaya police today arrested seven Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) cadres with a powerful IED from Ampati in the South West Garo Hills.
The police arrested the rebels from Chepagre, Rukolpara, Salmanpara and Boldakgre village, near Ampati at 5am today. The group was led by Milton Sangma alias Salmika, 23, along with six others.
Police recovered an IED weighing about 6kg from the rebels, along with other incriminating materials.
Of the seven rebels, Predit Sangma, 26, is said to be associated with Garo Students’ Union in Ampati and Polen Sangma, 38, is the village headman of Chepagre.
Superintendent of police of South West Garo Hills, R. Muthu, said, “Police in the district were alert after the attack on the police convoy at Rewak and yesterday’s crude bomb blast at Rongram police outpost. We had specific information about militants taking shelter in the villages and launched our operation.”
“We had inputs that the militants may target Ampati police station or our patrolling team. So we were on high alert. We managed to apprehend Milton and six others, who were conspiring to unleash terror, ” he said. The other arrested rebels are Hemport Sangma, 48, Grepil Sangma, 33, Jengsen Sangma, 51 and Pandit Sangma, 28.
The police recovered one pistol, five live ammo, two detonators, a detonating wire, electric circuit, remote, batteries and mobile with SIM cards.
On Monday, militants had ambushed a police convoy at Rewak, near Siju in South Garo Hills, which led to the death of two policemen and injured three. The GNLA has denied involvement in the incident.
“The arrest of GNLA cadre Milton has exposed their plan to trigger multiple blasts in different parts of Garo hills,” a police officer said.
A release issued by the police claimed that Milton has disclosed the entire plan of his commander-in-chief, Sohan D. Shira. “Sohan has formed special teams to attack police in various parts of Garo hills. He gave instructions to carry out the attacks after the Wangala festival,” the police release said. ]
The release also stated that Rakkam, GNLA area commander of Nongalbibra area, along with other GNLA cadres Timtam, Sanja Ch. Sangma, Geloram and others have ambushed the police party on Monday at Rewak village.
The police also claimed that GNLA cadre Rikrak of Baichung Ch. Momin Command and others were tasked to lob a bomb at Rongram Police Outpost, which they did last evening.
Milton also revealed the names other GNLA cadres who were assigned to execute attacks on the police.
“Sohan’s game plan is to attack the police but not to claim responsibility for these attacks,” the release added.
The police said during interrogation, Milton K. Sangma revealed that he was sent by GNLA commanders to plant an IED in Ampati police station.
Following the series of terror in Garo hills, police head quarters have sent instructions to all police stations, outposts and other police units in Garo hills to take adequate measures.
Another suspected GNLA militant, who was riding a motorcycle, was caught at Bajengdoba by North Garo Hills police.
G. Momin alias Khamosa, 18, hails from Pattargittim village of Nangalbibra in the South Garo Hills district.
