Militant leader surrenders in Meghalaya

A top leader of Achik Songna Ancahkpagipa Kotok (ASAK) today surrendered before the border security force (BSF) in Meghalaya's West Garo Hills district, officials said here.
Dimshrang M Sangma alias Nawal M Sangma, who is the ASAK's deputed area commander of Southern Command of Garo Hills surrendered before the DIG SHQ BSF in Tura, they said.
Sangma, who hails from Mendekgiri village in Baghmara police station in South Garo Hills District was earlier the cadre of the banned Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) and later joined its splinter group - the ASAK, a BSF official told PTI.
As per preliminary interrogation, he joined GNLA in 2010 and underwent training at Durama Hills in East Garo Hills for a duration of ten months. During training, he has learnt handling of AK-47, AK- 56 and 7.65 mm Pistol and wireless set, he said.

The official however informed that Sangma joined ASAK in the month of November 2013 under leadership of Reading T Sangma.
Sangma was also organizing member of ASAK during formation of ASAK.

The deputy area commander deposited one 9mm Pistol, two magazine and eight live rounds of 9mm, one wireless set, one mobile phone with two SIM card and two demand note of ASAK, he said.
The official said the cadre has been handed over to police, West Garo Hills after necessary formalities.
"BSF has been endeavoring to motivate militants to bring the misguided youths of Garo Hills to the mainstream," the official said while informing that four GNLA cadres also surrendered before BSF between 2012-2014.