GNLA cadres dwindle to 50, surrendered rebel says

SHILLONG: A GNLA cadre, who surrendered before the Border Security Force in Tura on Saturday, said the number of rebels left in the outfit was around 50.
Several cadres have laid down their arms in the last few months and intensive security operations have also dealt a body blow to the once powerful GNLA.
The 24-year-old rebel, David Ch Marak who is from a village in Williamnagar in East Garo Hills, confessed to the border sentinels that the number of cadres was approximately 50.
Marak surrendered one 7.62 mm Sniper Rifle, one magazine..and ammunition. He was with GNLA since 2015 and was active in the area of West Khasi Hills and South Garo Hills District.
“He had undergone extensive training for two months at a training camp in Rongjheng in the district last year,” BSF said and added that there were 10 more cadres.
After completion of training he was stationed at Ringdem camp till 2016 and was with 24 untrained GNLA cadres prior to his surrender.
The surrender ceremony was held at Dhanakgiri 58 Battalion Headquarters in presence of his family members, Nicholar A Sangma, father at Williamnagar Sacred Heart parish church, which played a significant role in motivating him to shun violence.