TURA: A former Meghalaya police constable who fled with his service weapon while on duty at a relief camp for victims of the Garo-Rabha ethnic clashes during the month of February to join the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militant outfit has now been made its “area commander” for West Khasi Hills.
Constable Savio Marak who was apparently disillusioned with the government’s handling of the ethnic conflict is the second policeman from Garo Hills to abandon his force and become a rebel while in service.
Former Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Champion R Sangma hung up his khaki uniform to don battle fatigues and float his own militant outfit GNLA in collaboration with a former ANVC “area commander” Sohan D Shira.
Today, the GNLA remains the most active and potent insurgent group operating in the three districts of Garo Hills.
The appointment of his one time junior in the state police force, Savio Marak, as the new “area commander” of GNLA for West Khasi Hills district indicates the intention of the outfit’s leaders to further strengthen base in the remote and inhospitable terrain that was once virgin territory for other militant groups like the NSCN, NDFB, ULFA, HNLC, ANVC, LAEF to consolidate their position and escape police dragnet after committing a crime.
The former police constable Savio Marak confirmed his appointment as area commander by the top leaders of GNLA during a telephonic conversation with The Shillong Times. He also accused the West Khasi Hills police of falsely implicating three Garo youth of involvement with the GNLA.
Nongstoin police had on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning arrested Peros Marak (26) and Amos Sangma (26) from Salbari and Vartus Marak (24) from Hahim of adjoining Kamrup district of Assam for serving demand notes in the area including a Rs 5 lakh extortion notice on occupants of a check gate at Athiabari.
“The three boys are not a part of our organization. In fact Amos works in the Directorate of Mineral Resources (DMR) check gate for which we served them a note for “donation” to the organization which was handed over to him,” claim area commander Savio Marak. GNLA releases abducted trader: The Garo National Liberation Army militant outfit has released its captive and trader Kanialal Sani last week, according to police. Kanialal was picked up by five armed men from inside his shop in the heart of Bajengdoba market during the evening hours last month. Efforts by the police to rescue him came to a naught despite their best efforts as the militants frequently changed direction keeping their prized catch on constant move to avoid the police search parties.
While payment of ransom has not been confirmed there are indications money could have changed hands as the trader fled to his home base in Rajasthan shortly after his release failing to notify the authorities until he was safely on home turf.