TURA, Sept 11 - South Garo Hills (SGH) police on Sunday had an encounter with Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militants in the remote stretches of Chokpot in the district leading to the recovery of a cache of weapons from the spot in Kenibadima.
The incident took place at about 10.30 pm on Sunday after inputs from sources of the presence of a big group of ultras of the outfit camping in the village. While sources stated that the number of cadres present was around 20-22, police sources estimated about 15 cadres.
�We immediately began an operation in the village. While no one was killed, the fleeing GNLA men left behind a cache of arms. A search operation is being conducted in the area of operation on Monday,� said district police chief, Abraham T Sangma.
Police, however, said that a few of the cadres may have been injured in the encounter though they were able to escape taking advantage of the darkness.
The police recovered one AK-47, three magazines, 90 rounds of AK ammo, one LMG magazine, SMG ammunition, one GNLA flag, amongst other incriminating items.
The outfit, headed by its commander-in-chief Sohan D Shira, has been in a protracted battle with the government on the demand for a separate Garoland. According to sources, the outfit has been attempting to recoup after continued setbacks to the due to surrenders and encounters with the police.
