Serial blasts threat in Meghalaya, alert sounded

The self-styled `c-in-c` of GNLA, called up media houses threatening to carry out blasts in Shillong, Tura, Williamnagar and Baghmara.

Shillong: A tribal militant organisation
on Sunday threatened to carry out blasts in important towns across
Meghalaya, prompting a security alert in the entire state.

The self-styled `c-in-c` of Garo National Liberation Army,
the most active militant group in the state, called up media
houses this morning and threatened to carry out blasts in
crowded places in Shillong, Tura, Williamnagar and Baghmara
unless operations against it were stopped by tomorrow.

"If the operations against the GNLA are not stopped by
Monday, the organisation will go for serial blasts in
Meghalaya," GNLA `c-in-c` Sohan D Shira said from an
undisclosed location.

Shira said his group wanted a separate Garoland for the
all round development of the Garo people.

Following the threat, a security alert has been sounded in
the entire state, Additional Director General of Police
(Special Branch) SK Jain said.

Government sources said the police was not taking the
threat lightly considering the links of the group with NDFB
and ULFA which have striking power.

DIG (Western Range) GHP Raju, who is overseeing the
operations against the GNLA in the three districts of Garo
hills, ruled out withdrawal of the troops.

He said security forces have achieved a number of
successes in the recent past in the operations and the outfit
is feeling "disturbed".

The GNLA is the most active militant group in Meghalaya at
present and has been blamed for rampant extortion in the Garo
hills belt.

The Garo rebel group, floated by deserter Meghalaya DSP
Champion Sangma, has reportedly developed links with the ULFA
and NDFB and some of its top leaders were believed to be in
Bangladesh.

PTI

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