SHILLONG: In a new and disturbing trend, criminal elements from minority communities in Assam have been joining different militant groups operating in Garo Hills like GNLA, ASAK and LAEF.
Meghalaya Police PRO G.H.P. Raju on Friday said GNLA was recruiting criminals belonging to a minority community from neighbouring Assam to work as spotters and provide information to the GNLA and other militant outfits about traders who are then kidnapped for ransom.
The PRO informed that these spotters contact Muslim businessmen from Goalpara, Mankachar and Dhubri in Assam and lure them to Garo Hills promising attractive returns through ginger and bamboo trade and other businesses.
The spotters then collect vital information from the businessmen regarding their travel plans like the date of journey and the registration number of the vehicle which are then passed on to the militants.
Once the victim is kidnapped and subsequently released on payment of ransom, the spotters are paid handsome shares by the militant groups, the police official stated.
According to Raju, the family of the abducted trader seldom reports the crime to the police, which emboldens the criminals.
The PRO also released a photo of one Ali saying that he was a former police cook but had joined the GNLA as a spotter.
Raju informed that Ali had deserted the police camp at Thapa Darengchi in North Garo Hills last year along with one rifle. “We later got leads that he has joined GNLA. He is a hardcore criminal,” he said, adding that Ali was working in close association with GNLA commander Philiport.
In June, one Hafizur Rahman, a resident of South Salmara in Assam, was arrested in South West Garo Hills for having links with a rebel outfit. He was involved with a kidnapping gang operating in South West Garo Hills and Mankachar area. Raju also informed that currently three businessman from Assam’s Goalpara District were under GNLA captivity. “Family members of these traders have refused to meet police or come forward to lodge complaints,” he said.
When asked why GNLA recruited non Garos, Raju said, “They are very useful for the outfit as they can lure members of a particular community. They also help the outfit in procuring arms and ammunition from Assam.”
In the last six months more than 20 people from Mankachar and its adjoining area have either been abducted or killed in Garo hills. There have been several protests in Mankachar seeking government intervention to neutralize insurgency in Garo Hills.
