SHILLONG, APR 28: In yet another setback to the GNLA, five of its cadres surrendered along with huge cache of arms and ammunition in Shillong on Thursday.
The five cadres, which were under the command of GNLA’s finance secretary Rakkam, surrendered before the State Director General of Police (DGP) Rajiv Mehta in the presence of senior police officials.
“This is surrender is due to police anti-insurgent operation in Garo Hills and also the important role played by church leaders,” Mehta told reporters. According to him, it is through such kind of cooperation that peace can restored in Garo Hills region and also bring back misguided youths to mainstream.
“We hope more and more surrender will take place as it is high time peace be given a chance,” he added.
Those who surrender are Rakseng Ch Marak @ Geloram from Kolabari Rongsak in East Garo Hills, Krewingbirth S Sangma @ Gongga from Deku, Jambil Ch Momin @ Jamindar also from Deku, Walban R Marak @ Bawil from Siju and Tarzan Ch Sangma @ Ruby from Nongal, all from South Garo Hills District.
They also deposited a total of 3 AK-56, 1 carbine, 1 G-3 rifle, 1 grenade, 1 HK magazines, 6 AK magazines, 1 Beretta Pistol magazine, 1 G-3 magazines, 1 carbine magazine and 519 rounds ammunition of AK (421 nos), G-3 (5.56) – (22 nos) and 7.62 mm (76 nos).
The state police chief informed the five cadres which belong to the 4th batch have joined the outfit in the year 2012 and were trained by ULFA instructors in the general camp at Durama Hills in East Garo Hills.
“They were also trained in preparing IEDs and were involved in GNLA ambushes and IED attacks on the police besides kidnappings, abduction,
Meanwhile, one of the surrendered cadres, Krewingbirth said that he along with his friends decided to quit the outfit as they were not happy with its functioning.
“We find that it is of no use to be in the organization if it continues in this way which is harmful to the people,” he said.
Though he replied that the GNLA was formed to fight for a separate Garoland, he however admitted that he did not understand the objective behind this ideology.
When asked, Krewingbirth said that training on preparation of IEDs is being conducted in neigbouring Bangladesh, in a camp where the GNLA has quite a number of cadres including ULFA.
He further revealed that the outfit has been recruiting children of between 15 to 16 years and were imparted arms training in the general camp.
According to him, these children were forced to join the outfit by the commander – in = chief (CIC) Sohan D Shira, who threatened if they refused.-By Our Reporter
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