TURA, May 18: A leaked wireless telegraphy (WT) message that was meant for internal circulation for the police has triggered a commotion in the Garo Hills.
The message was about the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), the dreaded militant outfit led the late Sohan D. Shira, regrouping and recruiting some 500 cadres.
Although the WT message was played down by the authorities, the number and the places named – Nongalbibra and Jadigittim in South Garo Hills, and Shallang in West Khasi Hills – have caused unease.
The message cited a source saying the outfit recruited 500 cadres and sent them for training to Nagaland and Myanmar.
The concern over this piece of news elicited reactions from Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and United Democratic Party president Metbah Lyngdoh.
Both said the government was checking the veracity of the message and how such a secret document, meant for internal information, was leaked.
Earlier, a high-ranked police officer said a probe into how the report was leaked needed to be undertaken so that the original part of the problem is solved.
“The GNLA regrouping is not only sensitive but also huge in terms of what it means to peace in the state. The matter needed investigation, which should have been the base of it but someone it seems wanted more fame and leaked it online. What has been done is extraordinary and now a fear psychosis prevails,” the officer said.
A visit to the places mentioned in the WT message revealed a few from Jadigittim and Nongalbibra have travelled to other states but only to seek employment and were in constant touch with their families.
A police official from Shallang, the third place named, said there were no reports of anyone missing from the area apart from a woman.
Former members of the GNLA not only called the WT message baseless but termed it an attempt to harass them as they have been facing questions since the report was circulated.
“When you talk about 500, firstly the source should have been thoroughly vetted before the message was sent out. It would have only taken a few phone calls to prove that the source itself was lying. GNLA, even in its prime did not have so many members (leaving aside the overground workers). So, such a number needed to be treated with extreme care. Some 500 militants with guns can give the entire state sleepless nights,” a former GNLA member, who had surrendered to the authorities, said on condition of anonymity.
He felt there was something fishy about the leak, which apparently referred to a former GNLA member as the source. “He should be grilled thoroughly. Where did he get the number from and if he knows things, why did he not name anyone? Give at least five names out of 500. It is incredulous that the police took such a number so seriously without even a basic investigation,” he added.
The leak has created panic, particularly in the Garo Hills region. People fear that the resurgence of the GNLA could spell doom for a region praying for an economic upturn.
There is also the apprehension that criminal elements may take advantage by pretending to be GNLA members for carrying out extortion.
