MLA’s missing PSO ends up in GNLA camp
From Our Correspondent
TURA: Suspense on the whereabouts of Kharkutta MLA Omillo K Sangma’s personal security officer appears to have finally been revealed with the Garo National Liberation Army announcing his entry into their fold.
Alleged large-scale discrimination of the junior men from this part of the State by senior officers has been attributed to the defection.
The ‘area commander’ of West Khasi Hills, Savio Marak, announced to The Shillong Times the defection of the PSO Hubert Marak from the police force into GNLA. Savio himself was a constable of 1st MLP Battalion, headquartered at Mawiong in Shillong, but deserted his sentry post while on duty at Mendipather during the Garo-Rabha conflict in February this year.
“Just as I was discriminated and tormented, a similar punishment was meted out to Hubert forcing him to join the ranks of our leader and ‘chairman’ Champion Sangma,” claimed Savio Marak on behalf of the PSO.
Giving evidence of Hubert’s entry into the militant group, the ‘area commander’ revealed the PSO’s ID serial number as 1604 of Shillong DEF and constable number 775.
Surprisingly, he denied the PSO having brought along two government issued weapons — a revolver and a carbine machine gun.
“He came empty handed and is presently based in our headquarters at Asim,” claimed the GNLA leader.
In a shocking revelation of the treatment given out to lower ranked personnel of the force, the former cop claimed that punishment was three fold for even a day’s delay in joining after grant of leave.
“We are given punishment drill for several days, our pay is held up for months and when we do get our salary it is cut down through a system of pay cutting. How do they expect us to feed our children?” questioned the former cop.
He accused former battalion commandant Francis Kharshiang of leading the persecution on the junior men during his tenure at Mawiong giving a free hand to other officers to also torture the men.
“There is a vast difference and discrimination between various tribes. Others get away without punishment even though they return from leave several days late,” Savio Marak claimed.
Giving a detailed break up of young men who lost their jobs over petty issues in the State police force, the ex-cop mentioned that constables Monju Momin and Dandir Marak are among the many who faced the wrath of Kharshiang.
Another constable who was dismissed from service is Roster Marak who is now the Williamnagar ‘area commander’of GNLA and a close confidante of GNLA ‘chief’ Sohan D Shira.
“Unless the police higher ups dismantle the torture network and take up confidence building measures by understanding the problems faced by the constables more policemen are bound to defect to organisations like ours,” warned Savio Marak.