Tura: GNLA chief Sohan D Shira appears to be slowly losing control of his strong grip over the morale of his cadres with six militants giving themselves up before police in North Garo Hills District on Sunday afternoon.
The six-member GNLA group led by its ‘lance corporal’ Binetson N Marak alias Skylance (26) gave themselves up before North Garo Hills police chief J.F.K. Marak at Resubelpara on Sunday afternoon.
The militants handed over an AK-47 rifle with two magazines containing 58 rounds of ammunition, a semi automatic pistol with magazine and five rounds, a hand grenade and a wireless handset.
The surrendered cadres have been identified as lance corporal Binetson N Marak alias Skylance (26), Pilick M Sangma alias Mikdak (20), Amit R Sangma alias Wegop (27), Sengning D Sangma alias Bola (22), Belseng T Sangma alias Aldurik (21) and Sadam R Marak (20).
The surrendered cadres hail from two command structures of the GNLA. While Wegop and Bola belong to the Skylance command the rest were under the command of Jongman.
Jongman was the commander for West Khasi Hills while Skylance was overseeing operations of the group in South Garo Hills.
Both leaders were removed from their command by GNLA chief Sohan D Shira and attached to the general camp.
“During the peak of police operation Hill Storm this year we attacked Sohan’s main camp forcing them to flee in disarray,” revealed the Superintendent of Police.
Following the police raid Jongman and Skylance were sent out with 26 well-armed cadres to retaliate against police but instead they decided to give themselves up, informed the police chief after interrogating the six surrendered militants.
The notable absence is Jongman who along with five other cadres continue to roam the jungles of Garo Hills after having broken free from the GNLA.
GNLA worker arrested in Assam
An over ground worker of the GNLA was apprehended along with arms and ammunition by a joint Assam Police and Army team at Kumripara village in Assam’s Goalpara district, defence sources informed on Sunday.
Based on information about movement of the GNLA man in the area, troops from Camp Dariduri under the Red Horns Division and police launched an operation on Saturday to apprehend him before he could extort people.
One pistol, ammunition and GNLA demand notes were recovered from him, the sources added. (With inputs from PTI)