GNLA militants project themselves as innocent
FROM STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Shillong, May 9: surrendered leaders of the Garo tiol Liberation Army (GNLA) depicted themselves as innocent by denying involvement in any heinous crimes, even as they assert that they don’t deserve any punishment. Philiport Shira, the surrendered area commander of Northern Command of the GNLA as well as the fince secretary Belding Ch Marak alias Rakkam carried a reward on their head for their alleged involvement in extortions, kidppings and killings in Garo Hills, denied their involvement and blamed the elusive commander-in-chief Sohan D Shira and other slain militants, during an interaction with reporters at the police headquarters here on Monday. Rakkam, who himself headed the fince wing gave an impression that he was simply a cashier/accountant. “I am only in charge of the fince department but everything is being looked by Sohan D Shira. The money is sent directly by the area commanders to him and channelize through me to maintain the cadres,” he said. On being asked what they will do with the arms and ammunitions they held before laying down arms today, the GNLA leader said that it for self defense.
Similarly, Mathew Ch Marak alias Sacheng, the area commander of Chokpot area feigned ignorance about the kidppings and killings, prominent among those was the barbaric killing of the mother of four children, Josbi Marak in June 2014. “Then, it was Jang Jang who was our slain area commander and I have no knowledge about the execution,” he stated. On being asked about the series of abductions, extortions and killings Sacheng stated that it is the action of the group and that he has no knowledge about those activities”.
Furher, Sengpan M Sangma alias Timtam and IED expert known for the ambush on a police convoy in Jaisrugittim said that he was not present during the attack. He was trained by the ULFA in making IEDs.
When The Sentinel visited the GNLA strongholds last week, it was noticeable that the GNLA men were on the run due to the intensive police operations. “Looking for shelter is out of question for these rouges and they have the infamous Sohan D Shira as a reason to escape the offensive,” stated a well placed source in the State Police.
On Monday, the surrendered GNLA cadres said that has been widespread disenchantment and loss of faith in the leadership of Sohan D Shira. They also criticized Sohan D Shira style of leadership where they accused him of accumulating wealth for himself and not committed for the cause of Garo land.
