TURA: The reformed rebels of GNLA, both top leaders and cadres, will hold a meeting at Asanang, 18km from here, on Thursday to dispel rumours about surrendered militants taking up arms for a fresh bout of conflict.
A news portal had published a report on Sunday quoting an unnamed GNLA cadre which mentioned that as many as 45 former rebels have returned to the path of armed struggle following disillusionment with the government over delay in rehabilitation packages.
The report claimed that GNLA cadres have been peeved at the policy of the government where only a select group of leaders and cadres were benefitting from the rehabilitation package and the rest were left out.
“These reports are totally false and to quell these rumours we are having a meeting with all our cadres at Asanang on Thursday. Certain individuals with vested interests are trying to create confusion with false stories. None of our boys have returned to the jungle,” former deputy commander-in-chief of the GNLA Rupanto Marak alias Toding told The Shillong Times.
However, there have been reports of surrendered rebels being involved in extortion and other crimes.
One such case is that of former senior GNLA cadre and hardened criminal Geloram who was arrested in connection with a case of extortion.
He is currently out on bail.
