Shillong, Sep 13 (IANS) A three-day shutdown called by the outlawed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), demanding withdrawal of central forces and suspension of combing operations, hit normal life in western Meghalaya Monday, officials said.
Attendance in government offices was thin in all the three districts of Garo Hills region due to the shutdown, but there was no report of any untoward incident, Principal Secretary (Home) K.S. Kropha told IANS.
He said vehicles remained off roads and shops were shut in the district.
Meanwhile, the state’s Home Minister H.D.R Lyngdoh said the combing operations against the rebels will continue.
‘We will not bow to such pressure tactics and all necessary steps have been taken to neutralise these activities,’ Lyngdoh said.
Police said they are keeping strict vigil as the GNLA has threatened to bomb several areas in Garo Hills.
‘We are taking no chances and the (security) forces are watchful,’ said S.K. Jain, intelligence chief of Meghalaya Police.
The GNLA, which is headed by police officer-turned outlaw Champion R. Sangma, has unleashed a reign of terror in the three impoverished districts of Garo Hills in western Meghalaya.
One of the five Garo rebel groups, the GNLA is fighting for a sovereign Garoland.
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