Shillong, March 29: More than 12 years after the crime, former Area Commander of Garo National Liberation Army, Northern Zone, Laden Ch.Sangma alias Chenang was arrested for murder of a school teacher in South Garo Hills.
Giving background of the case, North Garo Hills SP Pawar Swapnil said on July 9 , 2012 around 10.30 pm, five GNLA militants led by Laden Sangma alias Chenang went to the house of Denybirth Momin at Resu Mepan Abri village and murdered him outside his house, in front of his wife and relatives, blaming him to be a police informer. Denybirth was a Science and Maths Teacher in Resubelpara Higher Secondary School.
Four empty cases of AK Ammunition, two empty cases of 9 mm ammunition and one letter in the letter pad of GNLA signed by the GNLA area commander, claiming responsibility for the killing, were recovered from the spot. In this connection, a case was registered at Mendipathar police station of North Garo Hills.
However, the matter was pending for long years due to insufficient evidence.
Initially, collection of evidence was very difficult for the police as no one was willing to come forward due to the fear psychosis spread among the public.
Police said the investigation of the case continued and after gathering sufficient evidence, the main accused in case Laden was arrested from Baghmara, South Garo Hills district on March 27 by the police.
During the interrogation it was learnt that Laden belonged to the first batch of GNLA and he was trained in the Durama Hills of Garo Hills. In 2012, he became the area commander of Northern Zone.
Before joining GNLA, he was involved in the business of selling A’chik swords (Millam), A’chik shield (Sepi), A’chik ornaments and he used to visit different villages of Garo Hills.
The SP said one day, he happened to meet Sohan D Shira, the founder of GNLA and a former member of ANVC at Nengmandalgre. Thereafter, in many other occasions, he happened to meet Sohan and acquainted with him. With the advice of Sohan, the accused and 15 others went underground thereby becoming part of GNLA under the leadership of Sohan.
