Tura, April 21: A top cadre of the Liberation of A'chik Elite Force (LAEF), Rakpel Chisim Elite, today said the outfit is regrouping with the help of international and regional militant outfits in the Garo hills.

Rakpel said in an email: "The surrender of Mathew Marak is not the end of the chapter in LAEF history." He claimed to be the self-styled deputy commander-in-chief of the outfit.

On April 17, the outfit's commander-in-chief Mathew G. Momin, deputy commander-in-chief Ravan Sangma and four other cadres had surrendered at Dainadubi in North Garo Hills.

"We are not demoralised. Nor does it break our spirit. It is better off without the corrupt and self-centred leaders like Mathew, who misused the funds of the organisation for his personal benefit and mistreated the army," alleged Rakpel in the mail.

"We have all the support we need both from international as well as domestic rebel organisations to regroup and rise again. We will display our strength and capabilities in time," the release said.

Mathew's move to surrender was seen as a welcome gesture. But, today's statement by Rakpel sends out a message that LAEF is in no mood to come overground.