SHILLONG: Meghalaya police have recovered a stockpile of weapons hidden by the banned Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) in the thick jungle of East Garo Hills district.
The weapons were recovered based on the lead provided by the tribal Garo villagers of Bagre and Dorengkigre about the stockpile of arms stashed by the GNLA militants.
During the search operation, police recovered arms and ammunition included 347 HMG rounds, 2 AK Rifle bodies, 1 AK rifle without a magazine, 4 pistols, 6 pistol magazines, 6 shotgun cartridges, 52 numbers of 7.65 mm pistols ends, 1 Chinese grenade, 57 numbers of 7.62 SLR rounds, 63 numbers of GNLA seals, 4 IED remotes, 1 walkie-talkie, 9 remote IED circuits, 28 electronic detonators, 7 bullet charger clips, 5 UBGL cells, 1 helmet, 2 SBBL shotguns, 485 AK 47 bullets, 104 rounds of .303 rifle, 2659 rounds of 7.7 mm rifle and 4 pieces of HMG stands.
"This time it was entirely with the support of the villagers that such a huge recovery was made possible," Ringrang Momin, Superintendent of Police, in-charge East Garo Hills district, said.
He said more and more villagers are coming forward to help the police in recovering the hidden weapons which would pose a serious threat to the safety and security of the people if they fell into the wrong hands.
Following the killing of the dreaded GNLA leader Sohan D.Shira, Meghalaya police have recovered arms and ammunition hidden by GNLA with the help of villagers.