Slain GNLA chief Sohan D Shira laid to rest

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

WILLIAMGAR, Feb 25: The slain GNLA chief Sohan D Shira (41), was laid to rest at Chasatgre village, on the other side of the Simsang river in Williamgar town of East Garo Hills today.

Shira was handed over to the family after post mortem conducted at Williamgar around 1:30 pm.  People waited outside the morgue for several hours to get glimpse of the slain militant.

His body was taken to his wife’s residence and after a brief prayer service in accordance with the wish of his mother, the fil rituals were conducted at her residence and buried beside his father’s grave. 

The medical team had to put together Shira’s disfigured face, which took several hours. His seventeen-year old daughter was distraught and could not control her emotions as she cried out loud – “This is not my father.”

Shira’s wife remained unconscious as the fil rites were being conducted.

Shira’s mother, 80 sat beside the coffin for several minutes crying, while stating - “Son I never wanted you to be in the jungle. Why did you go?”

The entire village of Chasatgre converged for Shira’s funeral, which lasted for about 2 hours.

“Sohan had the desire to return provide the Government was willing to come forward with a peace pack,” said Aru D Shira, elder sister of Shira.

She also told that recently two Central Government officials had request her to convince Shira to join the mainstream. “I tried all possible ways to convince him (Shira) but he was not willing to accept as he had his own arguments as he did not trust the Government based on his previous experience.”

In 2014, Shira, a former rebel with the now disbanded A’chik tiol Volunteer’s Council (ANVC) had joined the mainstream but had to face several difficulties because of alleged harassment by the security personnel.

“He (Shira) was not happy with the Government and the security forces, who continued to obstruct his activities and business ventures. Disturbed with the situation, he (Shira) fled to the jungle to continue his rebellious movement”, Aru added.

Shira was shot dead by the elite Special Force-10 Commandos of the Meghalaya Police at Bawangre village, near Dobu in East Garo Hills yesterday. Shira was Meghalaya’s most wanted militant and police had announced Rs. 10 lakh on his head.

For past the two decades, Shira has been the most dreaded rebel in Meghalaya and had remained elusive. He had last visited his family in January.