Two rebels held in Meghalaya

Two Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) rebels suspected to be involved in extortion and abductions were arrested Tuesday in Meghalaya, police said.

Rebels Sengsak K. Marak alias Asong and Senton K. Marak were arrested from Tura, the district headquarters of West Garo Hills.

"Both of them are prized catch for us in the wake of the ongoing counter-insurgency operation against the GNLA rebels in Garo Hills," district police chief Mukesh Kumar Singh told IANS.

He said the arrested rebels were wanted to stand trial in kidnapping and extortion cases in Dalu-Purakhasia area bordering Bangladesh.

One pistol, one magazine, one high-frequency wireless set, extortion notes and other incriminating documents were seized from them, police said.

The GNLA, one of five Garo rebel groups fighting for a separate "Garoland" in Meghalaya, is headed by police officer-turned-rogue Champion R. Sangma, presently lodged in Shillong jail.