Bangla SIM cards keep ASAK chief off cop radar

TURA: The chief of the ASAK outfit, Reding T. Sangma, who is currently on the run to escape from a major security dragnet launched by Meghalaya police, is reportedly using mobile SIM cards from neighbouring Bangladesh to avoid detection, police said.
The former GNLA leader who went on to form the ASAK outfit after falling out with Sohan D. Shira is also said to be using technical software available in the market to mask his phone calls.
“We have found in many instances the ASAK chief has been making demand calls to victims by camouflaging his actual number using a software that can be easily downloaded from the internet,” said Anand Mishra, SP of South Garo hills.
Identifying the militant leader’s location is becoming more complicated as Bangladesh SIM cards, which have a strong network along the border region, are being used.
The ASAK chief has become a major irritant for security forces in the Garo Hills region, particularly the southern district, as his men have been involved in a series of abductions of petty traders and bus drivers.
The last abduction of four persons from near Sibbari had dented the ASAK outfit’s financial plans after police successfully intercepted the ransom amount of Rs 2 lakh that was being taken for the group on the outskirts of Tura.
With the arrest of the ASAK courier, who happened to be from a village where the abduction took place, police soon identified the potential area where the money was to be handed over to Reding and launched a large-scale operation the same day forcing the militant leader to abandon his three remaining captives and escape.
“We have also come to know of his modus operandi in the abductions. He utilises four different groups for his crimes and neither are aware of the other’s dealings since he communicates directly with each group,” said Baghmara police.
It is said Reding himself leads the first group, which is tasked with the abduction, while another is given the job of keeping the hostages in safe custody. The third group undertakes the negotiation part for ransom while the last one goes for the collection.
With police gradually unravelling his modus operandi they are optimistic that it won’t be long before he falls into their net.