TURA: The once ‘powerful’ Garo outfit, GNLA, known for its sheer firepower and brutality is slowly witnessing a drop in its ranks and armament as more members bid adieu to its armed struggle preferring to hand themselves up to authorities.
On Tuesday morning five GNLA cadres led by a senior member of the outfit gave themselves up before North Garo Hills district SP J F K Marak at Bajengdoba police station after having deserted their command post all the way in West Khasi Hills region.
Three of the surrendered militants are teens aged nineteen years.
The militants informed authorities that they became disillusioned with the outfit’s ideology and leaders and together with several other cadres fled from their camp in West Khasi Hills three months ago. They were under the command of GNLA leader Jongman.
While some of the cadres gave themselves up at Tura a few days earlier, the remaining five decided to surrender nearer to their place of activity in North Garo Hills.
“They were holed up in Gabil area before surrendering,” said district police chief J F K Marak to The Shillong Times. The area of Gabil is remote and densely forested and the group is believed to have been indulging in extortion while taking refuge in the isolated region before deciding to give themselves up.
One of the cadres who surrendered with a United States (US) made automatic carbine rifle, was a member of the fourth batch of recruits to pass out of the outfit’s training facility in the Durama Hills over two years ago, informed police.
Tengbarth M Marak (20) alias Jingjang handed over the US carbine with two magazines and a hundred rounds of ammunition.
Two other cadres Griksang B Marak (19) alias Katnap and Chanang K Marak (21) alias Rasong handed over two 7.65 pistols with two magazines and nine rounds of ammunition and a wireless handset.
The remaining ultras, Lonan M Sangma and Nikrak M Sangma alias Mikjan, both 19 years, surrendered without any arms.
ASAK militant surrenders in Baghmara: Meanwhile, a militant from the ASAK outfit identified as Salning T Sangma surrendered before police without arms at Baghmara in south Garo Hills districton Monday, informed police.
Earlier, on Saturday, three other ASAK cadres namely Salchang, Sengrang alias Jamok and Gilbirth alias Border surrendered to the district police and handed over a rifle, two pistols, two wireless handsets ammunition and camouflage uniforms.