TURA: The United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA) has announced that a conglomerate of Garo rebel groups operating in the region is withdrawing their proposed shutdown of Garo Hills two days before the expiry of the deadline given to the Meghalaya government to release a former militant who after surrendering to authorities was arrested and allegedly tortured in West Khasi Hills district.
Speaking on behalf of five rebel groups- Liberation of A’chik Elite Force (LAEF), A’chik Songna An’pachakgipa Kotok (ASAK) headed by rebel GNLA leader Reding T Sangma, A’chik National Cooperative Army (ANCA) and A’chik National Liberation Central Army (ANLCA), the UALA Chairman Chiindik Marak said that the decision to withdraw the proposed shutdown was taken following positive steps from the government side.
“We decided to call off our deadline after receiving positive information that the government has released from captivity our former cadre Charles D Shira,” said the UALA chairman while speaking to The Shillong Times.
The deadline by the joint groups was to expire on Sunday night.
The ANLCA militant Charles D Shira had surrendered to police with arms in Shillong but was subsequently arrested and taken to West Khasi Hills district where he was allegedly put through a torture programme angering the militant groups.
UALA warns GNLA
Meanwhile, the UALA has warned the GNLA for continuing its tirade against other militant outfits operating in the Garo Hills.
Taking strong exception to the systematic targeting of cadres belonging to ASAK, ANLCA, ANCA, LAEF and UALA, it warned that similar response would be given unless the GNLA halted its attacks.
The UALA has taken strong exception to the killing of cadres Winsing D Shira, Tengmil D Shira and Markush S Marak, all hailing from Darichit village in South Garo Hills, who were recently executed by GNLA militants.