SHILLONG: The killing of GNLA leader Sohan Shira has cut short the 20 years of his underground life but he had the desire to lead a normal life and wanted to join the mainstream after his first surrender in 2007, according to family sources.
As per records, it was in 1997 that Shira joined ANVC, but he came over ground 10 years later in 2007 after he deserted the ANVC as its area commander.
The surrender was made possible with the help of clan and family members following reports that Shira would join the Liberation of Achik Elite Force (LAEF) led by Peter Marak.
Marak was later eliminated by police that compelled Shira to come over ground.
Moreover, the next year was 2008 Assembly polls and the government wanted to send a positive signal to the electorate and the surrender ceremony was held at the official residence of then Chief Minister DD Lapang on August 25, 2007, in the presence of then Deputy Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and senior police and government officials.
An over ground ANVC leader, who was associated with Shira, said on Friday that when he joined the mainstream in 2007, he could not lead a normal life as his business initiatives, including operating sawmills, were taken over by others and he was not permitted to carry out the business as the police and the district administration termed running sawmills as illegal.
Moreover, the police followed up the pending criminal cases against him unlike HNLC chairman Julius Dorphang who had also surrendered in 2007.
The former ANVC leader said this had forced Shira to join hands with former police officer Champion Sangma to float GNLA in 2009.
Second surrender attempt
A few days after the killing of Shira on February 24, the eldest sister of Shira, Aruna D Shira had told media persons that recently two central government representatives had approached the family to convince Shira to join the mainstream.
According to Aruna, the family was optimistic that there would be peaceful negotiation after the Assembly polls since Shira had conveyed to them that he was ready to give up armed struggle provided that a peace package was ready.
In this context, the timing of the elimination of Shira raises several questions.
