
Shillong, Aug. 28: The Meghalaya government today warned the people from providing any monetary support to the cash-strapped Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), which is reportedly attempting to bolster itself.
The GNLA, which has been declared a "terrorist organisation" under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, has been seeing several arrests and surrenders apparently leading to its decline in the Garo hills region of the state.
However, today, the state government through the home (police) department claimed that certain individuals and business entities have been recently instructed to contribute financially to the GNLA coffers.
"Some senior cadres of GNLA have been specifically tasked by leaders to contact contributors to its finances in the past to cough up money by way of annual tax for the year 2016-17," a statement from the government said.
The statement also claimed that the GNLA is facing a "serious financial crunch", and it would like to raise finances by any means to support its cadres, purchase weapons and induct new recruits.
"The government has viewed this development with seriousness and would solicit co-operation from one and all, including businessmen, exporters' community and chamber of commerce and others not to succumb to the diktats of the GNLA and such other militant and criminal gangs for raising funds to carry on with their criminal and anti-social activities," the statement added.
The government also said people must understand that contributing directly or indirectly, voluntary or involuntarily, to a terrorist organisation is a "criminal offence" punishable with imprisonment up to 14 years with or without fines.
Any individual handing terror funds for laundering and others could be liable under relevant provisions leading to freezing of bank accounts, seizures and attachment of all assets, the statement added.
Moreover, the government has asked the recipients of extortion calls, text messages, e-mails and such other messages to bring the matter to the notice of the district and state authorities to enable the administration to take necessary steps to protect the individuals and take remedial measures.
Sharing of information, however, would be dealt with "utmost confidentiality" to protect the identity of the informant.
Formed in 2009-2010, the GNLA has been the most dreaded outfit in Garo hills until recently. In recent times, the outfit has reportedly been facing difficulty because of the sustained operations undertaken by the state police and central armed police forces.
Besides, a large number of the outfit's leaders and cadres had surrendered in April-May this year, and some had even laid down sophisticated arms and ammunition.