Shillong, Aug 3 (IANS): Four rebels of Meghalaya's Liberation Achik Elite Force surrendered before the authorities on Tuesday, police said.
Zethus N Marak, Salman R Marak, Sengchar G Momin and Sillang G Momin surrendered before JFK Marak, the police chief of East Garo Hills district, at Williamnagar. The rebels deposited a Chinese-made carbine and an 9 mm pistol while surrendering before Marak.
"The rebels were on the run due to the ongoing combing operations against rebel groups in Garo Hills region, and finally they surrendered," Deputy Inspector of General of Police (Western Region) GHP Raju told IANS.
The Meghalaya government has launched a massive crackdown against several rebel groups, including the Assam-based United Liberation Front of Asom, National Democratic Front of Bodoland and the local group, the Garo National Liberation Army in the three district of Garo Hills region.
Five companies of the Border Security Force and two units of CoBRA commandos have been deployed in Garo Hills to assist the state police in the crackdown.
The LAEF, one of the five Garo rebel groups, is fighting for a independent Achik state for the Garo tribals in western part of Meghalaya.
