TURA, SEPT 1: Police on Monday arrested Hamid Marak, 18, a resident of Khoripara near Bajengdoba in North Garo Hills. Police claim that he is involve in the attack at Gokol market, near Bajengdoba.
Bajengdoba is about 75 km from Tura. Marak was arrested from his residence at about 5 am Monday morning. A group had attacked the local market last month. Police say that he has confessed of being involved in the firing incident at Gokol market.
Marak is a student of a school in Rari village, which is nearby to his residence. In his statement to police, he said that LAEF outfit had promised him money for the job. “He needed Rs 900 to fill in his registration form for his exams and since he did not have the money, he willingly became a part of the LAEF team as they promised to pay him Rs 10,000 for his work as a part of the outfit for the Gokol Bazaar”, said a police official.
Marak told the police that the group had seven AKs with them and was headed by one Sodon, also known as Job, a resident of Medu Apal, near Bajengdoba. He also identified another militant Ramod also known as Kending who was part of the attack.
Last month, the gang had fired shots in the market and had extorted money from the traders.
“He was seen by the people from the bazaar and was identified by them as he is a local. We have found incriminating photographs of him and his whole LAEF group from his phone with them brandishing their guns, “the police official informed.
Police said Marak confessed to firing in the air during the incident. We have already arrested two others from the same group and the rest of them are on the run”, said Jerry Marak, SP, North Garo hills.
“He has been trained or they would not hand an AK to a civilian on his first outing. These groups have only come together to try and get easy money as there can be no other explanation as to why they will even rob the poor”, SP added.- From Our Correspondent
