SHILLONG, Nov 24 � The Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) received a setback after the police swooped down on three of its cadres last night, who were trying to strike an arms deal here for the outfit.
Among those arrested were Jackuish A Sangma, a top aide of GNLA�s self-styled Commander-in-Chief Sohan D Shira, and two others � Bappun A Sangma and Harding M Marak. The trio was arrested from Polo area at about 6.30pm last evening while they were in the vehicle waiting for the arms dealer.
After interrogation, the police learnt that all the three were in the city to strike an arms deal with dealers from Nagaland. Based on the information, police managed to arrest three arms dealers � Pungam Hanghal alias Angam from Dimapur, Nagaland, Hemkholun Lupheng from a city hotel here. But, another arms dealer Ritesh Basumatary managed to flee the scene, but was eventually cornered and arrested near Apex Bank near Police Bazar.
The GNLA cadres had with them Rs 11.49 lakh in cash with which they were trying to procure ammunition, that was eventually recovered from the arms dealers. The police also seized seven mobile phones and two vehicles during the operation.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, AR Mawthoh, in a press briefing, said that all the arrested were produced at the Chief Judicial Magistrate�s Court and were remanded to 14 days police custody. He also said that the operations were on and there was a likelihood of more arrests being made.
The police have also registered a case at the Sadar police station against the accused under section 120 (B)/121 of the Indian Penal Code read with (1AA)/29 (b) of the Arms Act.
