Fear stalks surrendered GNLA cadres

TURA: The killing of a former senior GNLA rebel by suspected cadres of the outfit on Monday has made other surrendered rebels of the group apprehensive about their safety.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, the surrendered militants of the banned GNLA have strongly condemned the killing of Rakkam D Shira, who was the outfit’s former finance secretary, and said such cold-blooded killings would not solve the problems of Garo Hills and its people.
“We chose to surrender as we all wanted peace and an end to the bloodshed. We have no issues with our former chief, Sohan D Shira, and his struggle for Garoland but killing someone who had laid down his arms to lead a peaceful life is extremely condemnable,” the communiqué said.
GNLA gunmen, allegedly led by Sohan D Shira, raided Rakkam’s house at Damagre near Williamnagar on Monday evening and gunned him down.
Urging for peace, the surrendered rebels said, “This saga of retribution for leaving the organisation must stop, or else there will only be more bloodshed. If we continue to be targeted, we will be compelled to take steps to defend ourselves. We urge GNLA to let us live in peace.”
The former rebels said they were with Rakkam at Goeragre battalion headquarters till Monday noon. Rakkam had left the camp on Monday morning but came back and   suddenly decided to visit home in the afternoon.
All surrendered GNLA members have been asked to be extra careful and to desist from moving out of their rehabilitation camps without prior permission from police.