SHILLONG, Nov 6 - Meghalaya police today said it has intensified operations against militant and terrorist groups in Garo Hills, days after the Meghalaya High Court said Army operations maybe considered to bring normalcy in the affected region.
Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) GHP Raju said the State police together with Central Armed Police Forces have intensified operations in Garo Hills to rein in the militant and terrorist groups.
The area of operations is around Durama Hills in East Garo Hills district, a hotbed of most of the ultras, including Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA). �The operations have been intensified around the Durama Hills area,� Raju added.
Refusing to comment on the High Court�s observation about bringing in the Army, Raju, however, said he believes that the State police are still capable of handling the situation. �We can still do the job, but it is up to the Union Government to take a decision,� Raju added.
The High Court has observed that there were 87 abductions from January this year despite adequate funds and presence of security forces in the region.
The Court gave the ruling, for consideration of Army operations, based on the observation of the Union Home Ministry about adequate funds and forces given to the State Government to maintain law and order.
Raju said the State Government would be filing a �counter-affidavit� before the Court giving its perspective about the funds and the forces currently available with the State Government.
�We are filing a counter affidavit and present our position in this regard,� the IG said adding, it is not possible to provide security to every citizen.
�We cannot provide security to every citizen. We don�t have the forces, especially on the National Highways where most of the abductions have taken place,� he claimed.
He further said that due to the National Green Tribunal ban on coal mining activities, the GNLA and its splinter groups have resorted to abductions.
