GNLA newly appointed Chief Executive surrendered before police

Tura: The newly ‘appointed’ Chief Executive Director of the banned Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) has surrendered before the Meghalaya Police.

GNLA Chief Executive Director Jingjang D Shira reportedly surrendered before the Meghalaya Police on Sunday.
Apart from the new ‘designated’ Chief Executive Director of GNLA, two others named Adot M. Sangma and Silwit R. Marak also surrendered.

22-year-old GNLA “Chief Executive Director” Jingjang D Shira hails from Darangagre village under Dalu police station in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district.
Two other GNLA leaders also belong to a village under Dalu police station in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district.

Notably, the surrender and subsequent arrest of the three followed the launch of a counter-insurgency operation by the Meghalaya Police.
The counter-insurgency operation by the Meghalaya Police was launched following a WhatsApp message, allegedly sent by a GNLA person.
While a police team was on its way to Darangagre village, a tip-off was received from the Kherapara Outpost (OP) that three GNLA rebels had surrendered at the outpost.

After that, the Meghalaya Police team went to Kherapara OP and interviewed the three persons.
Subsequently, a house search was conducted at Jingjang D Shira’s residence and several incriminating materials such as camouflage uniforms, shoes etc. were recovered and confiscated.

According to the Meghalaya Police, the three are not involved in any attempt to reorganize the GNLA in the state.
In fact, the Meghalaya Police said that the surrendering trio spread the message to create fear among people to extort money from traders.

SP VS Rathore of Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district said in a statement issued on Sunday (May 28), “It is suspected that some other people may also be involved in this act.”
“We appeal to the public that if any person receives any information related to militancy, immediately report it to the local police station. We will process all such information and identify him. Will give adequate reward to informer without disclosure,” added Rathore.
A WhatsApp message is doing the rounds in Meghalaya, claiming that Jingjang D Shira has been appointed as the new “Chief Executive Director” of GNLA.

The same message also claimed that Nengsrang Sangma has been appointed by the GNLA as its new secretary, who will also be the second in command.
Additionally, about 500 newly recruited cadres of the GNLA are also being trained at Rengdim in the West Khasi Hills bordering the East Garo Hills and South Garo Hills districts of Meghalaya.

It may be noted that earlier there were reports that the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) was reorganizing in Meghalaya.
This was reported on the basis of a classified document which was widely circulated on social media platforms.

The leaked document states that meetings were held at various places in Meghalaya’s Garo Hills such as Jadi, Nongal and Chalang to ‘mobilize’ youth to join the organisation.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya Director General of Police (DGP) LR Bishnoi had said that the police was verifying intelligence about a ‘re-grouping’ of the banned GNLA.
Meghalaya DGP PLR Bishnoi informed this and said that all district SPs are confirming the intel.

“All district SPs are verifying this input in their respective areas. Once the verification is complete, they will submit their reports,” the Meghalaya DGP had said.

On the other hand, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had refused to comment on reports claiming that the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) was regrouping in the state.
However, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma reacted to the reports saying that the government does not take anything lightly.

It may be noted that in 2018, the then commander-in-chief of GNLA, Sohan D. Shira, was shot dead in an operation by the Meghalaya Police, after which the banned militant outfit came to an end.

Shira had a few followers left and was never arrested as he moved from place to place.