New militant outfit busted in Meghalaya, self-styled chairman, 10 others arrested

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 1, 2021

Meghalaya police has busted a newly formed Garo militant outfit – Achik National Socialist Council (ANSC) and arrested its self-styled chairman along with ten other cadres in West Garo Hills district.

According to the Superintendent of Police, a series of counterinsurgency operations have been conducted over the last one week across various districts of Garo Hills region by the police of West Garo Hills with the help of South Garo Hills, East Garo Hills and North Garo Hills.

During this exercise, the self-styled chairman of the outfit identified as Chekam Ch Sangma was apprehended from Hawakhana, Tura on September 25, and several incriminating documents including hand written notes, pocket diary were recovered from his possession.

During interrogation, Sangma admitted that he has formed the new outfit along with approximately 25-30 more like minded persons and they are in the process of drafting the constitution and collecting weapons to start their activities like kidnapping, extortion etc.

The recruitment and training of cadres is scheduled to start after procuring sufficient numbers of weapons.

In this regard, a case has been registered with the Tura police station and investigation is on.

The other arrested persons include self styled vice chairman Wallison B Marak and members – Chijang A Sangma @ Tejang @ Jimmy,  Krinsbar B Marak @ Sopei @ Silang, Arbas B Marak @ Roson @ Jonbath, Raking A Sangma @ Kasrang, Juliash N Sangma @ Jelius @ Selius, Chekam R Marak @ Chekand, Hereson K Sangma @ Mikdep, Daniel B Marak @Deny and Nathalie R Marak.

Apart from these, 15-20 more persons are suspected to be members of the outfit, the SP said while adding that efforts are on to identify and apprehend them.

Further, two SBML guns and one 9mm pistol were recovered from the possession of the group members.

From the records and based on their statements, the involvement of the members in the Tikrikilla case have been established.

They have admitted to be involved in these cases as well as illegal weapon smuggling and multiple cases of vehicle theft in Garo Hills.

Moreover, they have also planned to form one NGO with the name AKMA and planned to extort money in the name of the NGO in order to finance for the militant outfit.