Meghalaya Police announces reward for capture of militants

IANS
SHILLONG, NOVEMBER 5

[dropcap]M[/dropcap]eghalaya Police on Wednesday announced a cash reward of Rs.10 lakh for the capture of militants belonging of the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) and A’chik Matgrik Elite Force (AMEF) operating in the western part of the state.
The announcement came in the wake of the Meghalaya police filing a chargesheet against the Social Welfare Minister Deborah Marak and former Congress leader Tennydard Marak for “hatching a criminal conspiracy” with the GNLA to win the February 2013 assembly election.
A cash reward of Rs.10 lakh each has been announced for any person providing information leading to the arrest of the ten “most wanted” militants that include eight from the GNLF and two deserters of the outfit who have floated the AMEF, Meghalaya Police Chief Peter Hanaman told IANS.Hanaman said the ten militants, who have been shortlisted in the Meghalaya police most wanted” list include Zen Robert Ch. Marak, the deputy commander-in-chief and Rikchi D. Shira, the Finance secretary of the GNLA outfit.
“As a part of the ‘Operation Hill Storm’ launched against various militant groups in the state, the police seek actionable intelligence against most-wanted militants operating in various parts of Meghalaya,” Hanaman said.
Stating that the identity of the informant will be kept confidential, Hanaman said any person can alert any police officer in a local police station located in the five districts of the Garo Hills division, west Khasi Hills and south-west Khasi Hills districts.
The GNLA, which was declared a terrorist outfit under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, is headed by police officer-turned-outlaw Champion R. Sangma, who is fighting for Garoland. A state he intends to carve out of Meghalaya, including the impoverished districts of Garo Hills.
Champion Sangma is presently in Shillong Jail after he was arrested from the India-Bangladesh border July 30, 2012.
Over 100 people, including security personnel, have been killed while more than 150 people were abducted for ransom by GNLA rebels in the last three years.