Tura, June 16: In a joint Bangaluru -Meghalaya police operation, Garo
National Liberation Army (GNLA)’s vice-chairman and political
secretary, Rafius Marak was today arrested from his residence in
Bangaluru and produced in magistrate court there.
He is wanted in Meghalaya in connection with many criminal cases
committed by GNLA.
Inspector General of Police (Operations), G.H.P Raju said, “Meghalaya
police were tipped off by inputs in Bangalore about his presence. We
raided his house today early morning and apprehended him. Many cell
phones, black SIM cards, ATM cards and other incriminating documents
were recovered from his rented apartment”.
Raju said he was hiding in Bangaluru for the last three months and has
been receiving money through bank transfers and was leading a
luxurious life.
He was staying with his wife and two children in Bangaluru. Police say
that he was highly active on social networking sites.
“We are completing legal formalities. He is likely to be brought to
Shillong in two days”, said Raju.
He added, “As we have intensified our operation in Garo hills against
insurgents, he quietly slipped away to Bangaluru”. He refused to share
information on how Rafius was tracked down in Bangaluru.
On interrogation, he disclosed that he joined the outfit to recoup
money he lost during the 2013 assembly election, where he contested
unsuccessfully.
Police say that he was lured to join the outfit as he was well-educated.
In 2013, Marak contested election from Rongjeng constituency in
Samajwadi party ticket. He secured 1604 votes and lost.
Police sources, who did not wish to be identified, said that he spent
huge money in the election and was desperate to many easy bucks.(SP News)
