Meghalaya's most-wanted terrorist, GNLA Chief Shira shot dead in encounter
Most wanted Meghalaya terrorist and the commander-in-chief of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), Sohan D Shira, has been gunned down in a fierce encounter with the security forces in the state's East Garo Hills district, cops said. Shira, who was active in Garo Hills, was shot dead at Dobu's Achakpek village in a gunfight with Garo Hills Police and Special Force-10 personnel. Here's more.
Received inputs regarding GNLA's movement in Dobu: An officer
Authorities acted on inputs about the movement of armed GNLA members in East Garo Hills' Dobu and pressed counter-insurgency forces into service, a senior police officer said. He added that the encounter in which Shira was killed took place at around 11:00am in Dobu's Achakpek village. According to East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Kumar, the inquest on the slain terrorist's body was ongoing.
GNLA's Shira, prime suspect in NCP leader Sangma's killing
Shira's death follows the murder of Meghalaya's Nationalist Congress Party candidate Jonathone N Sangma on 18 February in East Garo Hills' Samanda. Sangma and three others accompanying him were killed in an explosion, suspected to have been triggered by GNLA terrorists when his convoy was returning from a campaign. Following the NCP leader's death, anti-terrorism operations in Garo Hills have been stepped up.
Involvement of GNLA
Following the killing of NCP's Sangma, Meghalaya DGP SB Singh said, "There are credible leads that are being obtained about the involvement of the group (GNLA in Sangma's murder)." The GNLA's self-proclaimed chief, Sohan Shira, also carried Rs. 10 lakh bounty on his head.
GNLA: Meghalaya's most active terror outfit
The GNLA is an outfit fighting for a separate "Garoland" in the western region of Meghalaya. It was founded in 2009-10 by a senior police officer Pakchara Sangma who left the Meghalaya State Police to form the group. Though it was originally launched to fight for a "sovereign Garoland", GNLA was allegedly involved in bomb blasts, killings, abduction, and attacks on security forces.
GNLA attempts to stop people from voting on 27 Feb
The attack on NCP leader Sangma was seen as an attempt by the GNLA terror outfit to discourage the people of the Garo Hills of Meghalaya from voting in the upcoming assembly elections in the state next week. Meghalaya goes to polls on 27 February.
