Militants threaten serial blasts, alert sounded in Meghalaya

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) S K Jain told PTI.

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.