Garo Hills cop killed in counter insurgency operation, police team pays last respects
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Shillong, October 23 2014:
A top cop of the West Garo Hills (WGH) police department, Promoth Sangma lost his life early Thursday morning while fighting insurgents holed up in Songmagre, near Purakhasia in WGH.
Sangma was a veteran and a huge inspiration to the many that were trained under him or worked with him, with praise coming for the martyr from all his colleagues.
The 50 year old sub-inspector led his group to bust a militant hideout at Songmagre village under Purakhasia, along the India - Bangladesh border on Wednesday.
However the team came under heavy gunfire in the midst of which, Sangma lost his life on Thursday.
Songmagre is a village about 55 km from Tura in WGH.
A tribute befitting the service provided by the slain cop was paid at the Tura Reserve, where all came to pay their last respect as he was laid to rest.
"His death in the line of duty will inspire us to continue our fight against insurgents in Meghalaya.
We will never get demoralized," said Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) of WGH, Bruno A Sangma while speaking at the ceremony.
Commandant of Meghalaya police battalion, Aditya Goenka said, "Promoth Sangma with grave risk to his life responded bravely from the front.
In the ensuing gunfire, he was fatally injured and succumbed to his injuries.
The militants taking cover of the thick jungles and hostile terrain managed to escape." "It is an isolated location and the team was divided into different groups but unfortunately Sangma lost his life," said the ASP.
"We are not sure which outfit was taking shelter at the village but the area is frequented by the AMEF and ASAK outfits," he added.
Police said the team left for the spot at 6:30 pm Wednesday based on information that a group of six to seven militants were hiding in the area.
The brave cop was leading a team from Tura, Dalu and Purakhasia, which included Special Operation Team (SOT) and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) commandos.
He was enlisted as battalion constable on September 1, 1983 at 1st Meghalaya battalion, Shillong.
In 1994, he underwent commando course at NSG training centre at Manesar, Haryana.
He was promoted to the rank of lance naik on February 18, 1988."His dedication led to his next promotion to Havildar and subsequent promotion to Sub-Inspector in 2007," informed Goenka.
In his 31 years of service, he was awarded 36 monetary rewards, one commendation and the prestigious Governor Police medal this year.
The Superintendent of Police (SP) of WGH, Mukesh Singh, has recently recommended his name for the President's Police Medial for his distinguished service and his outstanding work.
"He will always be remembered as a great police officer, distinguished by his many awards.
His work leaves an indelible imprint upon the police department.
He was an outstanding and courageous officer, an inspiring and motivating colleague and senior," said Goenka.
Sangma is survived by his wife, Manju Sangma, three sons and a daughter.