Centre rules out army operation to combat insurgency in Meghalaya

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram today said the Centre has taken a "serious note" of terror activities of GNLA but ruled out involving army in counter insurgency operations in Meghalaya.

Chidambaram, who reviewed the security scenario of the state, told reporters that the Centre had taken "serious" note of the terror activities of the GNLA fighting for a sovereign Garo land in the western areas of Meghalaya.

However, ruling out engaging army in counter insurgency operations in the state, he said, "The state police, the CRPF and the BSF are quite capable of handling the issue.

Their numbers are small...We are determined to put an end to the scourge of militancy by GNLA...security forces will make every attempt to control their activities."

The GNLA, which was deemed a terror outfit a month ago, is engaged in kidnapping, extortion and killing in the impoverished Garo Hills district of Meghalaya.

The home minister also warned all those who are directly or indirectly aiding the outfit.

"The Centre has declared GNLA a terror outfit and all those, knowingly or unknowingly, helping it must take note of this. No one can provide overt or covert support, harbour cadres or members of the outfit, provide funds for them or help the GNLA raise funds. The law will act on all such people," he said.

On a question whether Centre will engage a dialogue with them, Chidambaram said, "There is no question of a dialogue with them. They have to abjure violence, give up arms and then we will see."