TURA: The banned GNLA outfit has on Sunday made a sensational revelation through a social network site that its chairman has ‘resigned’ from the group prompting it to form a fifteen member ‘decision making’ body to carry forward its ongoing agenda.
The resignation announcement of GNLA chairman Champion R Sangma alias Pakchara from the armed organization was made through a frequently used GNLA Facebook account of one Garo Mandei Ch Marak who has in the past called himself the self-styled public relations secretary of the outfit.
The Shillong Times, however, cannot confirm the authenticity of the statement put out in the social media website under the above mentioned user account which previously has put forward the views of the banned organization.
But, what the statement reveals is that the post of the GNLA Chairman has suddenly gone ‘vacant’ and the armed organization would appoint a new head as and when the government invites it for peace talks.
The statement goes on to add that although the GNLA chairman has put in his papers through an announcement in the social media, details of which were not revealed in the press statement, the outfit has questioned its veracity.
“Today Chairman Champion Sangma has announced his resignation via Facebook but GNLA headquarters in Asim has so far not received any resignation letter. Whether he has really resigned from the organization or is it a political game to get out of prison remains to be seen,” stated Garo Mandei Marak.
However, chinks appear to be forming in the armour of the most dreaded rebel group of Garo Hills with the organization announcing a fifteen member devi(ci)sion making body to continue its day to day administration.
The new body includes its vice-chairman Mikim Marak, commander-in-chief Wegara Shira (Sohan D Shira), deputy commander-in-chief Toding Marak, general secretary Raka Marak, joint secretary Matchang Shira, organising secretary Renggok K Sangma, public relations secretary G L Dm N Marak, grievances and redressal secretary Jakpil T Sangma (absconding), finance secretary Rakkam Ch. Marak, foreign secretary Millam R Marak, political secretary Bikdot Nikjang Marak (in jail), among others.
Army chief Sohan Shira alias Wegara has been running the armed organization single-handedly ever since its chairman and former DSP Champion Sangma was arrested in Bangladesh and pushed back to India in 2012.
The other members of the decision making body include chief security advisor of the outfit Bimangdopinchep Sangma, sergeant major Baichung Cheran for internal affairs and security, sergeants Darwin Shira and Savio Marak and joint political secretary Kring Kaa Marak.
The haste in which the outfit has announced the resignation of its chief and released the names of over a dozen other leaders to head the decision making body indicate its concern and also show the communication gap between the jailed leader and the rest of the group who came to know of the sudden turn of events not through its own ground operatives but via the internet.
