Meghalaya militant arrested in Siliguri

Prashant Acharya, EOI, Siliguri, 20 September: Meghalaya police with the assistance of Pradhan Nagar police apprehended one Solly Sangma (32), an alleged activist of Garo National Liberation Army, a banned extremist outfit active in Meghalaya. The joint task force raided an apartment complex in Salugara area of the town this morning and arrested the wanted militant. 

Police sources said Sangma, son of Lucas Marak, resident of Tura region under West Garo Hills district in Meghalaya, was serving as the branch head at the HDFC bank before joining the GNLA. He later left the bank job and started coal smuggling to make easy money and eventually joined the extremist organisation.

Police have confiscated a Hyundai i-10 car, a laptop, three cell phones, and several other documents from his possession.

Acting on a tipoff, Pradhan Nagar police found Sangma’s hideout at a rented flat in Salugara area and informed the Meghalaya police. The two teams formed a task force to raid the apartment complex and arrested Sangma from his flat.

Meghalaya police informed that there are several cases booked against Sangma including militant activities, waging war against the nation, involvement in armed struggle, attempt to murder, threatening people for money and many more.

Sangma was today produced before Magistrate AHM Rahaman at Siliguri Court, where the magistrate granted a transit remand as requested by the Meghalaya police.

Meghalaya police said Sangma was arrested in connection with the case lodged on May 16 at Turu police station. He was today taken to Meghalaya by the police.

This was the first case in Siliguri where GNLA member was arrested. Two years back, several Manipuri militants were arrested at Siliguri from similar rented flats.

Deputy Commissioner of Siliguri police O G Paul said, “Despite sending notices to the house-owners, advising them not to provide rooms for rent to unidentified persons and without the notice and information by the concern police stations But, people are still not following the rules.”

She said the house owners need proper awareness and instructions regarding this matter. She appealed the people to be aware about the fake identity of the unknown people and inform police if they come across any suspicious people.

TT, Siliguri, Sept. 20: A local area commander of a Meghalaya-based militant outfit that wants statehood was arrested from a rented apartment on the outskirts of Siliguri town last night.

Police said Solly Sangma, 30, a member of the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) and resident of Tura in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district, had been living in the Salbari apartment for one-and-a-half months.

“Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of Meghalaya police and personnel from Pradhannagar police station (in Siliguri) raided the apartment and arrested Sangma. Some documents that establish his links with the GNLA have been seized,” said O.G. Pal, the deputy superintendent of Siliguri metropolitan police. A car, a laptop, two voter cards, two PAN cards, two driving licences and three cellphones have also been seized from Sangma.

Meghalaya police took Sangma to the north-eastern state after obtaining transit remand from a Siliguri court.

The superintendent of police of West Garo Hills, Mukesh Singh, said: “Sangma is a GNLA cadre. There are charges of criminal intimidation and waging war against the state against him.”

Meghalaya police said Sangma had been carrying out “anti-national activities” through social media platforms.

Police sources in Bengal said Sangma was an arts graduate with an MBA degree. He worked as the branch manager of a private bank in Meghalaya before starting a coal business. “He came in contact with the GNLA during his days as a coal trader. He was elevated to the post of local area commander and was part of the GNLA’s think tank. Sangma was also tasked with maintaining public relations with other militant outfits,” a source said.