The Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) suffered a major setback to the leadership in Meghalaya after the number two man in the outlawed outfit surrendered on Friday.
Zen Robert Ch. Marak alias Rupanto Marak, deputy commander-in-chief of the GNLA, along with his aide Armindo B. Marak alias Rangdat surrendered to Davies Marak, the police chief of East Garo Hills district.
"It is a huge setback for the GNLA leadership (Sohan D. Shira). We are expecting more of them to surrender," Marak told IANS.
The surrendered terrorists deposited one 9 mm pistol with nine live rounds of ammunition besides mobile handsets.
"Rupanto told us that he decided to give up the GNLA due to the growing dictatorial attitude of Sohan towards the cadres besides the unwanted killings," Marak said.
The officer said both terrorists came overground in the wake of the intensified combing operation launched by Meghalaya police in Garo Hills against the outfit.
"They have been under intense pressure and the only option for them was to surrender. We are hopeful more of them will follow suit," Marak said.
The GNLA, which claims to be fighting for a separate Garoland in western Meghalaya, is headed by police officer-turned-rebel Champion R. Sangma, who is now in the Shillong jail after being arrested from near the India-Bangladesh border in 2012.
It has forged an alliance with the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent.
--IANS
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