ULFA strikes close ties with GNLA terrorists

The anti-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom has struck close coordination with Garo National Liberation Army, a Garo tribe terrorist group waging war demanding a separate state for their tribe in Meghalaya, according to a security source.

The GNLA which has been just branded as a 'terrorist outfit' by the government of India, is suspected to be providing shelter to some senior members of the proscribed ULFA in its hideouts in the jungles of Garo Hills bordering Bangladesh.

The GNLA is being provided with sophisticated weapons by the ULFA in lieu of the cooperation it received from the latter.

Security sources further said that senior ULFA cadres were providing training to the new recruits of the GNLA on payment of hefty amount of money collected by the GNLA through extortion.

The GNLA has been on an extortion spree in Garo hills areas targeting mainly coal traders and government officials.

Meanwhile, the Meghalaya government has decided to launch an all out crackdown on the GNLA ignoring appeals of a section of civil society members that wants the government to facilitate peace process with the outfit that was floated by a deserter deputy superintendent of Meghalaya police, Champion Sangma.

Meanwhile, Meghalaya police have initiated the process of strengthening its infrastructure and manpower to take on the GNLA decisively.

The government decided to set up 12 new police stations and outposts in the state to reduce the distance between two police stations while 500 new posts have been created in the state police force.

The anti-talks ULFA's links with the Maoist elements which are trying to make inroad to the Northeast has been a major concern for the security agencies.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi discussed the matter of ULFA-Maoists link with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on Tuesday.

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