SHILLONG: Garo Hills-based militant outfit Achik Matgrik Elite Force (AMEF), a breakaway faction of GNLA, suffered a body blow on Wednesday when its chairman Sangjan N Arengh, commander-in-chief Timudh T Marak surrendered before the State Director General of Police (DGP) Rajiv Mehta.
Another senior cadre Pimp K Sangma also gave up along with the top duo.
The trio deposited one AK 47 rifle, one 9mm Beretta pistol, two AK magazines, two 9mm Beretta pistol magazines, one 36 HE grenade besides live ammunition and six seals of the outfit.
Speaking to media persons after the surrender, the trio said that they decided to surrender “since most of the cadres have either been arrested or killed.”
They also said that AMEF has now three splinter groups with 19 cadres altogether.
Both the leaders, Sengjan and Timudh, had deserted GNLA and joined the AMEF.
When asked about the financial status of the outfit, the surrendered militants said that several Garo businessmen gave them donation which was used for procurement of arms, uniforms and food.
“We never forced people to give us donation,” they said adding that the outfit never received no “help from any politician”.
When asked about the splinter groups, they said that these groups were planning to tie up with NSCN-K.
On the other hand, Mehta hoped that this would lead to surrender of more cadres in the days to come.