From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: The SWAT and the SOT of the State Police on Saturday arrested a GNLA cadre from the Goreng coal mine in Shallang in West Khasi Hills district. The arrested cadre has been identified as Julius N Marak (27) of Baija in Williamnagar.
Police informed that a group of nine GNLA cadres led by Savio Marak ‘area commander’ of Khasi Hills entered the coal-rich area of Shallang with an aim to abduct some coal traders of the area.
However, the GNLA cadres were spotted by the SWAT and SOT personnel who were present in the area. The police team, however, did not fire on the militants as several coal labourers were working in the coal mine. Taking advantage, the militants fled from the scene.
However, while searching in the area, the police team came across Julius who was hiding in a coal quarry. A crude bomb was recovered from his possession. He was taken to Shallang Police Station where he confessed that he was a GNLA cadre and was involved in many acts of crime.
In another unrelated incident, Shallang Police on Saturday arrested Beka M Sangma, Wilip Sangma and Walsang M Sangma, who was involved in dacoity and extortion in the name of the GNLA. Police informed that the trio used hand-made guns to run their extortion business.