TURA: Surrendered rebels of the banned GNLA came together at Asananggre village, 18km from here, on Thursday to scoff rumours about a possible regrouping and said they would file an FIR soon.
“It is very disturbing that a social media post has surfaced giving a misguiding news item about surrendered GNLA members returning to the jungle. The motive behind this report is to create mayhem and lawlessness once again in the region,” said former deputy commander-in-chief of the GNLA Zen Robert Ch Marak alias Rupanto, who is also known as Toding, at the gathering.
As many as 63 former rebels, including senior commanders, attended the meeting. Among them were former southern rebel commander from Chokpot Hedeo Ch Momin alias Cello-pa, Anurag Sangma the former publicity secretary of the outfit, Dalton Sangma the former area commander of West Khasi Hills, Ajan Ch Momin alias Jimmy who was the action commander of the rebel group and Philliport D Shira, former northern area commander.
The reformed rebels have decided to file a police FIR against those behind the ‘fake’ news that was posted on a website of “Shillong Mail” on September 2. They suspect “someone within the hierarchy of the outfit may be behind stirring this confusion”.
“Instead of encouraging and supporting the surrendered cadres in getting proper rehabilitation and counselling since most of the cadres are yet to receive their rehabilitation packages and monthly stipends, dirty tricks are being played by some clandestine forces to derail the peace process in the Garo Hills region,” said the former senior cadre as he expressed everyone’s intention to remain in the mainstream.
The former rebels are calling for the perpetrators to be identified and booked as per the law.
It was decided at the meeting that a forum with former rebels as members would be created to check “attempts by vested interest groups” to create a rift in among the members.
The members also decided to create a WhatsApp group. They also passed a unanimous decision to petition the government through a memorandum seeking the fulfilment of their pending dues.
