Manhunt to nab GNLA 'army chief'

SHILLONG: Police and paramilitary forces have intensified the hunt for Sohan D Shira, the self-proclaimed 'army chief' of the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), and other militants of the outfit a day after they escaped a raid by security forces at their camp in a dense forest 2km south of Bawegre village under Williamnagar police station in East Garo Hills district on Sunday.

According to security sources, vigil along the porous Indo-Bangladesh border has been stepped up to ensure that militants do not slip out of the country. A top official in the state home department hinted that operations to decimate the GNLA terrorists would be intensified further, with both the Centre and the state running out of options to tackle the rampant acts of terror perpetrated by he recently outlawed Garo Hills-based outfit.

The Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) commandos and CRPF's CoBRA had stormed the camp where, according to the police, Shira himself was hiding. However, GNLA had an advantage in the difficult terrain and attacked the security forces. While there was no casualty on either side, the militants escaped leaving behind incriminating documents and arms and ammunition - including 66 high intensity HE bombs, an SBML gun and a mobile phone - at the camp.

Formed in 2010 by a former deputy inspector general of the state police, GNLA was categorized as a terror organization by the Centre in January. The outfit is active in three western Garo Hills districts of Meghalaya and pockets of West Khasi Hills district. Of late, the Garo militant outfit, which wants an autonomous Garo Council, has been indulging in several criminal acts, including the recent burning down of 13 coal-laden trucks. Recently, four of their militants were gunned down in a police encounter.

The Meghalaya-based terror group has also established a presence in the neighbouring Assam, including the capital city of Guwahati.