COBRA commandoes deployed in Meghalaya’s Garo hills | idrw.org
Two Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA) commandos of CRPF have been deployed in Meghalayas Garo Hills following a spate of activities of insurgents groups.The COBRAs, who arrived yesterday, will be put to action within a couple of days, a state home official said. The specially trained commandos, equipped with sophisticated weapons, will be logistically backed by Meghalaya Police personnel and would operate in the remote, tough and hilly terrains of the three districts.
Subsequently, five additional BSF companies will also be put in to check the growing activities of the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), the most active militant group blamed for rampant extortion in the Garo hills belt.The outfit, which is demanding an independent Garoland, had carried out a number of kidnappings over the last few months and slapped extortion demands on traders and government officials, besides killing policemen and labourers.
The Garo rebel group floated by a deserter Meghalaya Police DSP, Champion Sangma just two years back has turned out to be the headache of the government, with the security forces failing to achieve much success in the operations.The group has reportedly developed links with the ULFA and NDFB with some top leaders believed to be in Bangladesh.Last month, three police men were killed and two others injured, one of them critically when GNLA militants ambushed a security team, fired at them before taking away their weapons in East Garo Hills district.
Two Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA) commandos of CRPF have been deployed in Meghalayas Garo Hills following a spate of activities of insurgents groups.The COBRAs, who arrived yesterday, will be put to action within a couple of days, a state home official said. The specially trained commandos, equipped with sophisticated weapons, will be logistically backed by Meghalaya Police personnel and would operate in the remote, tough and hilly terrains of the three districts.
Subsequently, five additional BSF companies will also be put in to check the growing activities of the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), the most active militant group blamed for rampant extortion in the Garo hills belt.The outfit, which is demanding an independent Garoland, had carried out a number of kidnappings over the last few months and slapped extortion demands on traders and government officials, besides killing policemen and labourers.
The Garo rebel group floated by a deserter Meghalaya Police DSP, Champion Sangma just two years back has turned out to be the headache of the government, with the security forces failing to achieve much success in the operations.The group has reportedly developed links with the ULFA and NDFB with some top leaders believed to be in Bangladesh.Last month, three police men were killed and two others injured, one of them critically when GNLA militants ambushed a security team, fired at them before taking away their weapons in East Garo Hills district.

