TURA: William A Sangma, who escaped from custody twice and is on the state police’s ‘most wanted’ list, finally surrendered in North Garo Hills (NGH) on Sunday afternoon. His surrender came about a month after he made a daring escape from Tura Civil Hospital while he was there for a medical check-up.
After his escape from custody on March 17, William shifted base to South Garo Hills where he went on to form another gang that went by the name A’chik Revolutionary Army (ARA).
The gang had submitted demand notes to the residents of Mindikgre in South Garo Hills after which there was a demand for police outpost in the region. Most of those responsible for the extortion notes were, however, taken into custody but William escaped.
William had earlier contacted church elders before surrendering. Police teams escorted him from his house near Boko in Assam to Resubelpara in North Garo Hills.
“He said the reason for his surrender was that he wanted to lead a normal life. We have handed over custody of William to West Garo Hills police as he was still under judicial custody when he escaped the last time,” said North Garo Hills SP Sacheng Marak.
The notorious criminal was taken for a medical check-up before the hand-over. He formally surrendered to West Garo Hills police in the presence of the DIG, Western Range, SP and other police officials.
He did not deposit any arms.
Welcoming his surrender, the Assam unit of the GSU, which had helped in assisting the surrender, said it was glad that he would join the mainstream.
When asked why he escaped from custody, William’s wife blamed ill-treatment as well as lack of medicines in jail.
Last time Sangma escaped, he and another criminal were in Tura Civil Hospital. They overpowered the guards on duty as well as the hospital staff before escaping. His accomplice, Rongsang Sangma, was caught on the hospital premises. After this, police announced reward money for his arrest.
Earlier in 2014, William and another criminal had escaped from Mendipathar police station after overpowering the guard on duty. He was elusive until caught in a joint operation between the army and police near Goalpara.
William was the mastermind in forming a new outfit of criminals, A’chik National Cooperative Army, which focused on kidnappings for ransom and extortion, among others.
His gang disintegrated after most of them were either arrested or killed.
