Insurgency / Meghalaya

SHILLONG, March 15 ? Suspected NSCN (IM) and Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) militants struck again today killing three policemen and two civilians in an ambush in West Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. The incident took place barely two kms from the Indo-Bangladesh border confirming fears of security forces that extremist outfits in the North East are actively operating on either side of the international border. Briefing newsmen, State DGP L Sailo disclosed that the victims, travelling in a privately-owned Shaktiman truck were totally taken by surprise when the militants opened fire...

SHILLONG, Feb 19— A high action Bollywood thriller was enacted in the State capital today as an unit of the Special Operations Team (SOT) of the Meghalaya Police gunned down three suspected Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) ultras in a dramatic chase and encounter. Today’s incident comes close on the heels of the encounter on February 17 at Smit, on the city’s outskirts when three HNLC militants were killed following a chase. SP, East Khasi Hills, Smt Ida Nongrang told newsmen giving the official version of the incident today that the SOT unit was lying in wait after they received...

TURA, Feb 1 — In a daring attack on security forces, ultras belonging to the banned A’chik National Volunteers Council (ANVC) and the NSCN-IM attacked a Border Security Force (BSF) patrol party in the interior of South Garo Hills, near the international border with Bangladesh, killing two BSF jawans on Thursday evening. The incident occurred 2.5 kms away from Border Outpost, near Dambuk Apal towards, Baghmara at 5 pm. A three member BSF patrolling party of 161 Bn located at Dobasipara was suddenly fired upon by a group of militants from the deep undergrowth. In the ensuing fire two jawans were...

TURA, Jan 23 – In a daring show of firepower, suspected ULFA-NDFB-ANVC militants attacked camp of the 72 Bn of the CRPF at Tikrikilla in West Garo Hills on Tuesday night with rocket launchers. There were no casualties. It is believed that the attack was carried out by the ULFA, NDFB and the ANVC. The West Garo hills police had seized a huge cache of arms which included RPGs meant for the ULFA from Rajasimla, East Garo Hills, in October last year. It is presumed that the attack was to show the outfits firepower in the run up to the Republic Day celebration.

SHILLONG, Jan 7 — Buoyed by the recent successes against militants, Meghalaya Police with the support of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel have launched a joint operation against the banned outfits in the State-Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) and Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC). “The new offensive against the militants have been launched in the wake of the arrest of 13 HNLC militants in Ri-Bhoi and Jaintia Hills districts on January 4 and 5”, said a senior police official. The catches included Michael Papang, an Area Commander and Miktor Lapang which have...

TURA, April 8: The 72 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) which has been deployed in all the three districts of Garo Hills since October 1999, has been, besides taking up counter-insurgency operations and maintaining law-and-order situations, conducting a series of people-friendly activities. The battalion has adopted two villages, near Tura which are underdeveloped, to ease the economic condition of the villagers. The two villages, namely, Asipara and Ringre Songital, have now got the privilege of getting some assistance. Recently, the battalion personnel led by its Command...

SHILLONG, March 26: Meghalaya Home Ministry TH Rangad told the State Assembly that the banned Hynniewtrep National Volunteer Council (HNLC) and Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) militants had been using the National Highway passing through the State capital, for arms smuggling, report agencies. Replying to the zero hour notice tabled by Opposition member, Pynshai Manik Syiem (Independent) on the setting up of police check gates near residential areas in the city, Ranged said setting up of such gates was necessary to check unlawful activities which also included drug trafficking. He also...

TURA, March 24: A Garo militant group known as the People's Liberation Front of Meghalaya (PLF-M), has given an order warning all non-Garos not to contest the State Assembly and district council elections slated for 2003. The order given by the outfit's "minister for information and publicity" Chengku Momin, stated that the Garos would face a number of problems if the non-Garos contested and won elections. The outfit is of the impression that the non-Garos would utilise the maximum benefits for themselves if they won the elections and this in turn, would push the Garo Hills into a situation...

AGARTALA, March 23: The outlawed National Liberation Front of Twipra is trying to strengthen its links with the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council of Meghalaya. The move is believed to be aimed at ensuring the safety of NLFT activists who have to go to the Meghalaya capital for medical treatment and other purposes. Official sources said NLFT "commanders" Rajkanta Debbarma and Upendra Debbarma visited Shillong last week and met HNLC chief Julius Donkuper. The NLFT duo reportedly sought permission to set up a well-equipped transit camp in Shillong or any other "safe area" within Meghalaya...

SHILLONG, March 20: Meghalaya Home Minister THT Rangad on March 19 said the monthly stipend of Rs 2000 for the surrendered militants in the State was not adequate, report Agencies. Rangad, who is also incharge of police, said the State government could not commit itself to giving more than the stipulated amount. Replying to a question raised by K C Boro and Sujit Sangma, both from the Congress, during the ongoing Budget session at the State Central Library here, the Home Minister said: "I feel the amount is quite low. It is a central package, but right now we cannot give any commitment of...