Shillong, Nov 12: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today lauded the Meghalaya police for its proactive approach to counter insurgency activities in Garo Hills.
Speaking to Hub News, Conrad Sangma said, “The surrender of ULFA (I) leader Dristi Rajkhowa will go a long way in ensuring long lasting peace in the Garo Hills region.”
He also said that Rajkhowa was under tremendous pressure from Meghalaya police as they had launched an operation to ensure that insurgent activities are not allowed in the soil of Garo Hills.
“He (Dristi) was pressured by the police which forced him to surrender. The coordination of the State Police and the Army ultimately led him to surrender”, he added.
Chief Minister stressed that as political leaders, they will continue to work to ensure that peace prevails in the State. “Ensuring socio-economic development will change overall situation in the long run and we will achieve permanent solution”, he said.
Meanwhile, it is to be noted that in the midst of the drive for a terror free Assam and Meghalaya by Unified Command, Indian Army formation deployed in Rangia in close coordination with intelligence agencies, Assam and Meghalaya Police, carried out OPERATION MALAKAND, which resulted in surrender of Self Styled Deputy Commander -in-Chief ULFA (I) Drishti Rajkhowa alias Manoj
Rabha, along with four other dreaded Cadres namely Self Styled Corporal Vedanta, Yasin Asom, Rop Jyoti Asom and Mithun Asom.
Rajkhowa, a known explosive expert, was Deputy Commander-in-Chief of United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent) and was an active member of the terrorist outfit of ULFA since last 30 years. Since last many years efforts were being launched by various intelligence and security agencies of Unified Command for the neutralization of Drishti Rajkhowa.
“It was this combined effort which has resulted in the success. It is a result of synergy and close cooperation which has been achieved between Indian Amy, intelligence agencies, Assam and Meghalaya Police and other Security Forces of the two States”, said top police sources.
“Surrender of Rajkhowa alongwith 4 Cadres of ULFA (I) has certainly dealt a
severe blow to the ulterior motives of ULFA (I) which had been trying to gain prominence and revive insurgency in lower Assam by undertaking large scale
recruitment”, the police source told Hub News.
“Rajkhowa and his accomplices will, in the times to come, motivate other misguided youth / cadres to follow their lead and come overground to lead a
dignified life and work for the betterment of this beautiful region”, the police source said.
Unified Command remains committed in maintaining peace and normalcy in the region and lead it to the path of progress and prosperity.
Meanwhile, leader of opposition Dr. Mukul Sangma has also lauded Meghalaya police for the achievement. “I want to congratulate Meghalaya police organisation particularly the cadres in the elite SF10, they have been trained to be best and they proved themselves,” Dr. Sangma said.
