Two women ULFA explosives experts arrested in Meghalaya

Shillong, Feb 17 (UNI) Two women bomb experts of the proscribed United Liberation of Asom (ULFA) and their sympathiser were arrested in Meghalaya and explosives seized from their possession.

Police said here today that the militants - Kalti Rava (24) and Tejimala Rava (25) -- of the ULFA's 109th battalion in Garo Hills and their sympathiser Lovison Sangma (35), were nabbed from Bangsi Donggre village in East Garo Hills district bordering Assam yesterday.

A joint team, comprising state police personnel and the Army, raided the village following specific information of the presence of ULFA militants.

Police seized two Chinese-made hand grenades, gelatine sticks, detonator, six high frequency radio handsets, digital dairy and a mobile. ULFA rubber stamps and a medical book were also seized.

''We are still interrogating them to know more about their activities,'' District Superintendent of Police Sylvester Nongtynger told UNI here, while refusing to divulge further details.

Mr Nongtynger, however, said both the women cadres appeared to be explosives experts of the ULFA.

The arrest assumed significance in the backdrop of security forces apprehending six top ULFA cadres of the 709th and 109th battalions in Meghalaya a fortnight ago.

Last month, security forces gunned down Madan Koch, operational head of the ULFA's 109th battalion in Kathalbari village bordering Assam and Meghalaya in an encounter.

Koch was operating in the plain belts of Garo Hills in Phulbari, Garobadha, Mendipathar and other adjoining areas in West Garo Hills district owing to its proximity with Assam and neighbouring Bangladesh.

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