GNLA attempt to regroup with Ulfa-I help puts cops on alert
GUWAHATI: A fresh attempt by the 'splinter' groups of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) to regain strength in association with Ulfa (Independent) has put the state police and their counterparts in the neighbouring state on high alert.
The development came to light following the arrest of wanted GNLA self-styled 'commander' Nikrak M Sangma alias Kaltush on Sunday.
He was reportedly hiding in Bangladesh for several years.
Superintendent of the South Garo Hills district police in Meghalaya , Abraham T Sangma, said Kaltush was arrested in the Rongara area near the Indo-Bangla border. "He had crossed over to India from Bangladesh and was going back when he was intercepted. He was moving in the guise of a local villager when he was arrested," the SP added.
Sources said GNLA, a Meghalaya-based insurgent group, lost its ground following the death of Sohan D Shira, the chief of the outfit, last year and surrender of most of its cadres thereafter. They added that a few GNLA cadres, who did not surrender last year, have been allegedly trying to re-group and revive militancy in the Garo Hills in Meghalaya under the leadership of Kaltush in nexus with Ulfa (I) and Bangladeshi criminals.
Superintendent of the South Garo Hills district police in Meghalaya , Abraham T Sangma, said Kaltush was arrested in the Rongara area near the Indo-Bangla border. "He had crossed over to India from Bangladesh and was going back when he was intercepted. He was moving in the guise of a local villager when he was arrested," the SP added.
Sources said GNLA, a Meghalaya-based insurgent group, lost its ground following the death of Sohan D Shira, the chief of the outfit, last year and surrender of most of its cadres thereafter. They added that a few GNLA cadres, who did not surrender last year, have been allegedly trying to re-group and revive militancy in the Garo Hills in Meghalaya under the leadership of Kaltush in nexus with Ulfa (I) and Bangladeshi criminals.
The GNLA rebel's arrest has not only highlighted the militant outfit's renewed attempt to regroup but also send Assam Police into a tizzy. Sources said Goalpara Police have been already asked to intensify surveillance along the Assam-Meghalaya border. "It's a known fact that Ulfa (I) western command head Drishti Rajkhowa has been in charge of the outfit's nexus with groups of the Meghalaya-based outfit. Every now and then, there are unconfirmed reports of his movements in this region," said a source in Goalpara Police.
Rajkhowa is known for his gunrunning racket with the GNLA. "Ulfa (I) has been helping GNLA ultras to get sophisticated arms and in return, the GNLA rebels extend logistic support to them. GNLA militants were earlier found to be using sophisticated HK assault rifles also," a source said.
An investigation by Meghalaya Police has revealed that Kutlush had crossed over to Bangladesh in 2015. Since then, he was operating from the neighbouring country and was supplying materials like uniform, weapons and ammunition to GNLA with the help of Ulfa (I).
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