TURA, March 4 � The son of the Nokma of Oragitok in West Garo Hills was killed in an encounter between suspected militants of the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) and police in Rongram block at about 5 am this morning. The encounter site is about 30 kms from Tura.
The 26-year-old Sengbath Marak was allegedly killed in the encounter when police stormed a house in the village of Romba Ading to flush out GNLA militants who had taken shelter there.
According to police there were four militants along with the Nokma�s son inside the house when it was raided. The militants managed to escape by opening fire and fleeing into the nearby jungle, close to Nokrek Biosphere.
SP Mukesh Singh said, �We had information that militants were taking shelter in the village. When police raided the village the militants opened fire from a house forcing our teams to return the fire. In the exchange of fire Sengbath was killed.�
�Sengbath was involved with the armed group because he opened fire on the police. We have recovered a 7.65 pistol with two live rounds, two magazines, three GNLA demand notes and a detonator from the encounter site,� stated Singh. Singh said the deceased was in fact involved with the group.
�The Nokma�s son was part of the group. We have recovered one GNLA demand note from his possession which is addressed to Rongram block development officer�, Singh said.
