AHAM leaders arrested in extortion case

TURA: Two senior leaders of A’chik Holistic and Awakening Movement (AHAM) have been taken into custody over their alleged involvement in an extortion racket in the Jadigittim market of Nangalbibra in South Garo Hills.
A team of South Garo Hills Police picked up George Prince Ch Momin, vice president of the central executive board of AHAM from Tura on Saturday. George Prince is a former leader of the Garo Students’ Union.
Another AHAM leader, Cherak D Shira, who is the environment and wildlife secretary-cum-adviser of its Nangalbibra unit, was also arrested in Baghmara. The leader hails from Rongjeng region.
According to the police, both leaders played an active role in forcing traders to pay illegal tax of Rs 500 each for entry into Garo Hills to carry out trade.
It was in the backdrop of complaints about extortion that the police raided Jadigittim market and arrested 13 AHAM members along with the extortion slips on Friday.
Hundreds of traders have been reported to have had to pay illegal tax while entering market zones in Garo Hills.
There have been widespread complaints about similar collections reported from Bajengdoba region of North Garo Hills as well.
The organisation, formed by former GNLA chairman, Champion R Sangma, has denied the extortion slur blaming it on individual greed of the arrested members.