On June 9, 2016, 68 cadres of the United Achik Liberation Army (UALA) led by its 'chairman' Novembirth Marak bade farewell to arms in an official disbanding ceremony held at the SMELC Building at Dakopgre in the Tura area of West Garo Hills District. "I appeal to other outfits to accept the call of the government, join the mainstream and work for the welfare of the Garo society," Marak stated after the surrender. He also claimed that he had tried to convince at least five other outfits to come together and join the mainstream under the banner of A'chik Revolutionary Front (ARF), but the plan failed to materialize.
St. Peter's: Fire devours heritage school in Meghalaya
Shillong, Apr 13 (IBNS) A massive fire broke out at Shillong's St Peter's Higher Secondary School on Wednesday morning, destroying the heritage institution, according to reports.
On February 25, 2016, Meghalaya Government launched the third phase of Operation Hill Storm (OHS) against Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militants in the Garo Hills region of the State. The Garo Hills region comprises five Districts - West Garo Hills, East Garo Hills, South West Garo Hills, South Garo Hills and North Garo Hills.
Meghalaya: Blast rocks marketplace, 2 killed
Shillong, Jan 9 (IBNS): A blast rocked William Nagar market in Meghalaya on Saturday which left at least two people killed, media reports said.
Research Assistant, Institute for Conflict Management On December 12, 2015, Meghalaya Police recovered the body of a Police constable, Khomraj Bhattarai, from a shallow grave near the Tapa Darengchi area in the North Garo Hills District. Bhattarai was abducted along with another person, identified as Muslo Hussain, by Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militants from Rongdongre village on November 6, 2015. Muslo Hussain was later released unharmed on November 19. Police suspect that GNLA 'area commander' Pilliport D. Shira was responsible for the abduction and subsequent execution of the Policeman.
Meghalaya: Army guns down 2 civilians by mistake
Shillong, Nov 27 (IBNS) Army personnel on Wednesday shot down two civilians, mistaking them for Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militants, according to media reports.
Meghalaya: Vulnerabilities Persist
Research Assistant, Institute for Conflict Management On October 26, 2015, the body of Rezaul Parvez, a student of the CV Raman Junior College in Nagaon town, was recovered by Police at Nongpoh in the Ri Bhoi District of Meghalaya. He had been abducted on October 21, from a private hostel at Nagaon Aminpatti (Assam) and is believed to have been killed by his abductors.
Research Assistant, Institute for Conflict Management On July 9, 2015, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team of Meghalaya Police killed a Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) 'commander', identified as Savio Marak, at Rengregre village in East Garo Hills District. Inspector General of Police (Operations) G.H.P Raju disclosed that Savio, a former Meghalaya Police constable was wanted in several cases of murder, abduction, bombings and extortion in the Garo Hills region. Savio had deserted the Police Force in February 2011, while on duty at a relief camp for victims of the Garo-Rabha ethnic clashes during the month of January 2011.
Meghalaya: Continuing Irritants
Research Assistant, Institute for Conflict Management On May 7, 2015, Security Forces (SFs) killed a suspected Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militant, identified as 'lieutenant' Sanjay alias Gobat Gambat, in the Tapa Darengchi area of North Garo Hills District. One pistol was recovered from the incident site.
Assam CM orders to probe into labourers death in Meghalaya
Guwahati, Apr 8 (IBNS): Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday ordered additional chief secretary S Meora to probe into the 14 labourers of Dhubri district dead in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills.
Research Assistant, Institute for Conflict Management The trend of rising insurgency-related fatalities in Meghalaya continued through 2014, with a total of 76 fatalities, as compared to 60 in 2013, an increase of 26.67 per cent, according to partial data compiled by the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP). Consequently, the State continued to hold the dubious distinction of being the second-worst insurgency affected State in the Northeast in terms of overall fatalities, with Assam accounting for the highest number of fatalities at 305.Meghalaya secured this unenviable position for the first time in 2013.