GNLA Chairman released on bail in Meghalaya

Shillong: Chairman of the outlawed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) Champion R Sangma was released on bail from Shillong district jail on Wednesday.

"The Court of District and Sessions Judge, Shillong granted bail to Sangma against two surety bonds of Rs one lakh each and he has been instructed not to leave the jurisdiction of the court until further notice," Sangma`s counsel Sujit Dey told IANS.

Sangma, one of the most-wanted Garo rebel leaders, was arrested from Umkrem Pyrwdiwah axis on the edge of the India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya`s East Khasi Hills district on July 30, 2012.

Prior to his arrest by Meghalaya Police, the GNLA Chairman was captured by sleuths of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) commandos on November 23, 2011 from his hideout at Haluaghat in Bangladesh`s Mymensingh district.

Emerging out of the Court, the former rebel leader said that he would first focus on availing medical treatment before taking a decision on whether to plunge into electoral politics or facilitate peace talks for his outfit.

Sangma, a former Deputy Superintendent of Police, deserted Meghalaya Police and floated the outlawed GNLA in November 2009 for a separate Garoland to be carved out of Meghalaya.

The Centre has declared the GNLA as a "terrorist organisation" under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.