Cops suspect Sohan led the group on Tuesday night
TURA: Armed GNLA rebels killed a former cadre at Rongsakgre, around 30 km from Williamnagar, on Tuesday night. Police suspect that GNLA commander-in-chief Sohan D Shira was also present.
The group, comprising more than 20 militants entered the village at night and chased 28-year-old Tiangsil G Momin till they caught and executed him. The anti-dacoity camp of the police is located 800m away from the murder site.
Tiangsil, who was in the fourth batch of recruits in the outfit, had quit GNLA to join A’chik Matgrik Elite Force (AMEF) formed by another former GNLA commander. He, along with other cadres of the new group, surrendered last December. He was living with his wife at Rongsakgre, which is a part of Rongsak that lies on the old road between Tura and Williamnagar.
The former rebel’s face was disfigured and there were multiple bullet wounds on the body that was found on Wednesday morning, police said.
“Personnel at the anti-dacoity camp heard the gunshots but could not ascertain from which direction it came. Moreover, it was pitch dark and there was always the possibility of an ambush so they had to tread carefully,” said district police chief Davis Nestell R Marak.
The police, based on witnesses’ statements, are suspecting Sohan was present at the time of the killing.
“We are verifying if it is indeed Sohan Shira. But it can’t be ruled out since he was recently in Songsak when our team busted his meeting place. Since then he has been hiding. We cannot rule out the possibility that this could be the same group of rebels with Sohan,” said the district police chief.