From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: Some top political leaders of the State are alleged to be working in tandem with certain sections of Garo Hills based militant groups. Local NGOs, whose mission have been towards socio-economic upliftment of the local indigenous people are also closely working with the ultras.
This socio-political-militant nexus has come to light through the nefarious activities of a prominent Garo Hills based NGO called Achik Development Association (ADA) a highly placed source revealed.
Sources have revealed that some prominent political leaders of the State have asked the NGO – Achik Development Association – to collect a sum of Rs 100 from each truck plying through NH-62 or through Williamnagar via Rongjeng town to Assam.
Sources have revealed that several members of the NGO are involved in the said high profile extortion episode. Among them are Sanjoy Sangam, president, Walsrang Sangma, secretary and Sek Sangma, treasurer. All of them are residing at Rongjeng Reserve, East Garo Hills. Some of the anti-social elements who participated in the said extortion drive included Limbu Arengh alias Rowell, area commander of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) and Phizo R Marak, a GNLA supporter, who was recently arrested by Shallang police, sources said.
The sources also revealed that the extortion drive is carried out near the office of Rongjeng police station in East Garo Hills district. The schedule timing of collection starts at 5 pm and runs all through the night until 7 am the next morning. The Rongjeng Village Defense Party (VDP) is involved in a similar extortion spree, collecting Rs 10 from each truck that passes through the area. On top of that, the Garo Students’ Union (GSU) is also said to have been involved in such collection.
Speaking to media persons on Wednesday, R Muthu, SP, West Khasi Hills district said that the Achik Development Association (ADA) is no less than a ‘dacoity group’ which was formed for the benefit of the members themselves to extort money from trucks. These members are mainly active in East Garo Hills district and three of its members have already been arrested by the West Khasi Hills District Police.
The SP, further, informed that these extortionists used to claim the patronage of GNLA, LAEF or ANVC depending upon the activities and concentration of the real outfits. They also printed fake demand note/letter head in the name of the GNLA and collecting Rs 100 from each truck.
Regarding the political-militant nexus, the West Khasi Hills SP said that he was not aware of the same, while adding that presently, the police are trying to trace the top leaders of the Achik Development Association.
It may here be mentioned that Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma had, in November last, admitted that the possibility of GNLA having a political nexus could not be ruled out, a statement that made the headlines in the local papers.