TURA: A woman along with nine other criminals have been arrested by Garo Hills Police from three separate locations while they were attempting to sell arms to a Garo militant outfit known as A’chik Matgrik Elite Force (AMEF) on Thursday evening.
The arrest also led to the recovery of two lakh rupees from two of the arrested members that was to be paid for the weapon.
Following a tip off from Tura Police about the travel plans by two motorcycle borne youth, North Garo Hills Police intercepted a motorcycle (AS-18 8905) at Kosichora area of Bajengdoba and arrested the duo.
Based on their confession six other members of the gang were arrested from Gosingpita area of Bajengdoba. Police recovered a 9mm pistol which they were planning to sell to one Simeon Marak alias Matsram and a woman identified as Panita Marak (33).
“The gang was planning to sell the weapon to Matsram and the woman when they were intercepted. Matsram and Panita were supposed to pay the money for the weapon and ensure its delivery to AMEF commander-in-chief Jack Marak,” revealed North Garo Hills SP J.F.K. Marak.
Matsram is a surrendered cadre of the A’chik National Liberation Army (ANLA) who was covertly working for AMEF outfit to which he had planned to sell the weapon.
Tura police picked up both Matsram (18) and the woman from Rongkhon area of the town the same day. They also recovered the two lakh rupees which were meant to be paid to the criminal gang for the purchase of the pistol.
The arrested woman hails from Williamnagar and had been working with the surrendered cadre to sell arms to militant groups operating in Garo Hills.