Shillong, April 14: Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma on Wednesday once again reminded that sophisticated weapons are being transported around Garo Hills by militants and miscreants, and inferred the involvement of banned militant outfit United Liberation Front of Assam- Independent (ULFA-I) in this racket.

Recalling the surrender of ULFA-I’s Deputy commander-in-chief Drishti Rajkhowa in November 2020 in Garo Hills, he said he had warned the government of the wanted militant’s movements in and around Garo Hills and recruiting people, before the surrender took place. But when Rajkhowa surrendered, he did so with just two of his body guards and no sophisticated weapons, noted Dr Sangma.

“Did they surrender with sophisticated weapons? Do you expect Drishti Rajkhowa not to have sophisticated weapons? Where are those sophisticated weapons? The state government didn’t even bother to ask or didn’t bother to find. They left behind many of such youth who are still moving across Garo Hills and South West Khasi Hills,” he said.

Referring to the youth who have agreed to withdraw from their respective outfits and terror organizations and agreed to accept the government’s offer to join the mainstream, he said, “How many have gone back? Do they know? They (government) have to know and find out what happened to those youth. There are many things that are happening which are again an alarm signal.”

On the other hand, the former chief minister also slammed the government for making a mockery of the information shared by the opposition on the matter.

“You see again the lack of understanding about the complexity of the problem in respect to problem dealing with militancy and terrorism and lawlessness,” he said.