Tura, Sept. 12: Twenty-five years ago, Heldison M. Sangma had chosen terror as a tool for social change and mobilised Garo youths to do the same. In time, he realised the futility of guns, turned to God and decided to preach the path of peace.
For the past 15 years, the rebel-turned-preacher has been teaching the gospel in Garo hills of Meghalaya. Yesterday, he was ordained "Reverend" in a ceremony at Rongjeng Baptist Church in East Garo Hills district where he has been serving as a pastor since 2000.
Narrating his story, Rev. Sangma, 47, said he had joined the rebel outfit, A'chik Matgrik Liberation Army (Alma), in 1991, while pursuing his intermediate studies. "I decided to join the militant outfit as Garos were suppressed and oppressed. I thought by being in Alma, I would serve Garo society," he said.
He underwent arms training under the leadership of the NSCN in the jungles of Garo hills. The Naga militant outfit had collaborated with Alma in 1990 to spread terror and used to have hideouts in Garo hills. The young Heldison served in Alma for three years (1991-1994) under the command of Desang Sangma, the then secretary of the outfit.
Asked if he had killed people during his days of militancy, Heldison said, "In the outfit, everybody had different roles to play. I was assigned the task of mobilising the community and highlight the objectives of Alma".
Rev. Sangma, who now inspires people to pursue the path of God, said he was not lured by anybody to join militancy but the prevailing situation had compelled many youths like him to join the outfit for the greater cause of Garo society. "I regret being at Alma. I should not have joined the outfit. It was the biggest mistake of my life," he said.
In early 1994, he was arrested and lodged in Williamnagar jail for a brief period. Here, Rev. Sangma said, he had an unusual experience. One night, when everybody was fast asleep, he felt as if somebody was waking him up though he did not see anyone. Again he felt as if he was being prompted to go to the gate, which he found open. Straight away, he proceeded to his mother's house and, thereafter, rejoined the outfit.
After fleeing from jail, Sangma said, he "came closer to God and decided to follow the path of peace". He consulted his mother and relatives and decided to surrender and start a new life.
In the meantime, the Meghalaya government negotiated with Alma, offering its rank and file, except two leaders who had cases in Assam, general amnesty. In October 1995, the outfit's members surrendered.
Heightened insurgency operations between 1994 and 1995 had led to the arrest of the outfit's chief, Dilash Marak, and another top leader, Wilbur Sangma. The turn of events forced Heldison and Desang, under whom he worked, to hold negotiations for mass surrender as the top brass were lodge in Shillong jail.
The end of Alma gave birth to A'chik National Volunteers Council (ANVC), which was headed by Dilash and Wilbur. Most cadres of Alma joined ANVC and continued to unleash terror. In the past two decades, Garo hills has seen birth of at least 15 rebel outfits.
When Sangma was undergoing rehabilitation in Shillong jail for six months, Rev. Tesang G. Momin suggested that he should continue his studies and pursue Theology. After completing his rehabilitation, he appeared for his intermediate exam (PU). The Rongjeng Baptist Church then sent him to Harding Theological College, Tura. After completing the course in 2000, he joined the Church as an assistant pastor.
"Ever since, I have spread the gospel of God. With insurgency taking toll on the lives of people, we as church organisation have been holding talks to bring the youths back to the mainstream," he said. He also married in 2001 and lives with his wife, two sons and a daughter.
Having set an example himself, Rev. Sangma, the first surrendered Garo militant to be ordained Reverend, has a message for other militants: "We cannot bring about change in society with arms. I urge my brothers who have taken up arms to resolve issues and problems with constructive decision and work."
Asked what can solve the problem of insurgency, Rev. Sangma said, "The youths are misguided and lured with money. If there are jobs and livelihood opportunities, the situation will turn around."
