TURA, Nov 18 - Meghalaya police today arrested a key aide of the commander in chief (C-in-C) of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), Sohan D Shira. The aide identified as Hendinath Ch Marak (Malmepa) during interrogation revealed his close links as well as details of the businesses he managed for the GNLA chief.
Malmepa was arrested from his residence at Bawegre, Williamnagar in East Garo Hills. �Malmepa supplies food and other items to Sohan. He also disclosed that he was looking after the properties of Sohan, including his rubber garden, newly constructed house at Bawegre village, fish ponds, amongst others�, said GHP Raju, IGP (Operations).
The IGP stated that Malmepa had confessed that Sohan is investing money in buying land, coal trade and setting up other business establishments. However, he failed to disclose bank details.
�Malmepa said that money collected by Sohan is kept with his wife Chiruma and her brothers. He also disclosed that Sohan has converted GNLA into his family business�, Raju informed.
According to the IGP, an investigation of the disclosures made by the aide of Sohan is currently underway. �We are verifying all inputs to confiscate property amassed by Sohan and his family members.
Police later recovered the phone of Malmepa and found a SIM card being used by him. The origin of the SIM is from Dimapur in Nagaland.
The police team tasted further success with the arrest of another hardcore cadre of the outfit during raids at Durama area here last night.
