TURA: Nine militants of the ASAK outfit including two commanders have been arrested from four different locations of East Garo Hills in a swift operation that was carried out by Williamnagar police on Tuesday morning.
The major breakthrough took place after special police teams from the district fanned out to intercept the militants during their planned extortion drive in the town of Williamnagar and Rongjeng.
The catch included the ASAK outfit’s action commander Dinesh Ch Marak alias Blackboard and Merak K Sangma alias Suanggre who happens to be the area commander of East Garo Hills.
Police recovered three pistols, which included one from Suanggre, a wireless hand set, 13 rounds of live ammo, 18,000 rupees in cash, demand notes and receipts of ASAK along with seals, close to a dozen mobile phones and a dagger.
“We also recovered a list of names of people who were to be targeted by ASAK for extortion in the district,” revealed district police chief Davis Nestell R Marak.
The initial arrests took place at the entry point to Williamnagar at forest check gate where two cadres were picked up when they turned up to demand cash.
Based on their confessions, police picked up three cadres from the super market complex of the town who in turn revealed that three other militants were already en route to Rongjeng town to undertake an extortion drive.
The three motorcycle borne youth were intercepted outside Rongjeng by armed police. Among the bikers was the action commander Dinesh Marak alias Blackboard.
Police also raided Chidikgre village, not far from Williamnagar town, on the road to Tura, and picked up the area commander of the district Merak K Sangma alias Suanggre.
The seven militants, apart from the two commanders, who were arrested have been identified as Rikran G Momin, Sabat R Marak, Selvi Arengh, Isak M Sangma, Walman M Sangma, Pagal Sangma alias Balwa, and Ninibirth R Sangma.
Barring Suanggre, all the rest of the group had joined the ASAK outfit at the time of their formation. Area commander Suanggre is the only member of the group who deserted the GNLA to join the ASAK outfit. He was earlier based in West Khasi Hills under GNLA commander Jongman.
“Suanggre has confessed that he was part of the 4th batch of GNLA. As for ASAK action commander Dinesh Marak alias Blackboard, he happened to be the first batch of ASAK cadres who underwent training somewhere in a remote region of South Garo Hills district,” informed the police chief.
Police have also come to know that the chairman of ASAK outfit goes by the name of Cheo Dilsrang, its area commander for their stronghold in South Garo Hills is one Nawal M Sangma and Jack Marak is their finance secretary.