SHILLONG, MAR 12: Meghalaya home minister Roshan Warjri said that the three months time-frame of the government to neutralize the banned Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) might have been bit ambitious but the intention of the government and state police is well meaning and should not be underestimated.
Replying to a call attention moved by GNC legislator Clifford Marak to the claims made by a senior police official to neutralized GNLA within three months which has failed, Warjri also told the ongoing budget session of the assembly on Wednesday that there is no “gap” between the government and the police department as far as the issue of tackling militancy is concerned,
Warjri, however, admitted that the timeframe for neutralizing the GNLA may have been a “bit ambitious but the intentions of the government as well as the police should not be underestimated.”
Iterating that containing militancy in the Garo hills region remains one of its key objectives of the state government, Warjri said the security forces performance between November 2013 to March 2014 has been commendable and bear testimony to their commitment to neutralize militancy .
During this period, 107 militants were arrested, 13 militants were neutralized, 6 assault rifles, 18 pistols, 9 crude bombs, 5 grenades and 518 rounds of ammunition were seized, Warjri informed.
But Warjri admitted that despite stepped up CI operation of the
security forces, GNLA continues to unlease a reign of terror and there are many reasons for this. She listed the foremost reasons to the geographical and climatic condition of the area the militants operate. Through terror tactics, they have also build up an information network, she added.
Warjri said, “For the security forces, the connectivity is a major problem in a difficult terrain but despite constraint of resources, the Meghalaya police together with others central armed police forces – CRPF and BSF are making all out efforts to contain the militants and have done a commendable job in tackling militancy.”
Warjri was of the opinion that the seizure of arms and ammunitions and the surrender of 15 militants in the year 2013 bear testimony to the efforts put in by the security forces.
Warjri also clarified that the statement made by the police officer, who is also in-charge of operations, was only reiteration of the tough stand of the government on militancy.
Defending the official, Warjri said, “There are also strategic and tactical considerations when public statements are made by those in command of security operations.” Stating that there were incidents where few police personnel were killed by the militants, she said that the counter-insurgency operations were intensified besides revamping strategies and tactics.
However, Warjri reiterated that the state government also felt it necessary to explore other avenues of finding a more enduring and sustainable solution to the problem of insurgency by bringing all other militant groups also on board in line with ongoing peace pact settlement signed with the Achik National Volunteers’ Council (ANVC).- By Our Reporter
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