Former militant ordained as reverend in Garo Hills

TURA: In a first for the Garo Hills region and probably Meghalaya, a former militant belonging to the A’chik Liberation Matgrik Army (ALMA) has been ordained as a reverend after his service as a pastor for 15 years.
The former militant, Heldison M Sangma, was ordained as a reverend at Rongjeng Baptist Church after serving in the same Church as a pastor for the past 15 years.
ALMA, the first ever militant outfit in Garo Hills, had unleashed a reign of terror in the region long before ANVC or other groups came into being.
While serving his time at Williamnagar District Jail in East Garo Hills, Sangma found his calling. This was when the state government and the rebel group were negotiating for peace and later the government offered general amnesty to the group.
A delegation from the Peace Committee in Garo Hills, comprising Reverend Frithing D Sangma, Roger Benny A Sangma, Balkarin Ch Marak, Batseng Ch Marak and Mathiash D Sangma, were present at the ordination ceremony.
The Peace Committee expressed its happiness for and gratitude to Sangma for being a good example to other militants.
“Sangma’s transformation from a militant to a man of God should serve as an example to all militants who have taken up arms. They should shun violence and give up arms as the people of Garo Hills are peace-loving who are praying to God for peace to return to the land,” the committee said.