Shillong, July 7 (IANS): Bangladesh authorities have launched a manhunt to nab Champion R. Sangma, an Indian rebel leader, and Meghalaya Police confirmed he has shifted base to the neighbouring country, an official said on Wednesday.
Champion, a Meghalaya Police official-turned outlaw, has been camping in Bangladesh for the past three months and frequently travelled to Dhaka from Modhipur town of Tangil district in that country, the official said.
"Yes, he has been spending his time in Bangladesh for the past three months and shook hands with leaders of Bangladesh-based rebel group, the A'chik Special Dragon Party," S.K. Jain, the intelligence chief of Meghalaya Police, told IANS.
A'chik Special Dragon Party is a rebel group and operates along the India-Bangladesh border in the western part of Meghalaya.
The group is believed to have its large presence in Bangladesh's Mynmensing district, bordering Meghalaya's Garo Hills region, which has large concentration of tribal Garo population.
"He (Champion) is there (Bangladesh) to set up training camps with the help of A'chik Special Dragon Party and both these groups have arrived at mutual understanding to help each other," Jain said.
Meanwhile, an Indian intelligence official said Bangladesh's security agencies are tracking down the movement of Champion in and around that Country.
"He is on the run and it is just a matter of time for them to confirm his identity and he too will fall into the hands of Bangladesh security agencies," the intelligence official told IANS.
Champion, who wants to fight for a 'sovereign Garoland' in the western area of Meghalaya, has forged a close operational relationship with other northeast-based insurgents groups such as United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB).
GNLA's foot soldiers are deserters, mostly from the Achik National Volunteers Council (ANVC) and the Liberation of Achik Elite Force (LAEF).
Meghalaya, especially the Garo Hill region, the most backward region, is being used as a safe haven for various northeast-based militants groups.
