Shillong, Nov 6 (IANS): Meghalaya's principal opposition party, the United Democratic Party (UDP), Wednesday demanded Chief Minister Mukul Sangma's resignation over his government's failure in controlling militancy that killed five policemen.

"The chief minister (Mukul Sangma) should immediately step down in view of the government's failure to address the deteriorating law and order, including militancy problem in the state," senior UDP legislator Paul Lyngdoh told journalists.

Condemning Tuesday's killings of the five policemen by outlawed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militants, the former urban affairs minister said, "The killing of policemen has demoralised the police force. Once the force is demoralised, law and order situation will be worse."

Five Meghalaya policemen were killed in South Garo Hills, bordering Bangladesh, Tuesday when a group of 30 GNLA militants ambushed them when they were on their way to a jail to take charge of a prisoner.