Williamnagar: Slain GNLA chief Sohan D. Shira, 41, was laid to rest at Chasatgre village in Williamnagar town of East Garo Hills on Sunday.

Shira was handed over to the family after a post-mortem conducted at Williamnagar around 1.30pm. His body was taken to his wife's residence and after a brief prayer service, the final rituals were conducted at his mother's residence. He was buried beside his father Golendro T. Sangma.

Shira's 17-year-old daughter was distraught as she cried out, "This is not my father." His grief-stricken wife fainted as the final rites were conducted. His mother, 80, sat by his coffin for several minutes. "Son, I never wanted you to be in the jungle. Why did you go?" she moaned.

The entire village attended Shira's funeral, which lasted for nearly two hours. "Sohan had the desire to return provided the government was willing to come forward with a peace pact," said Aruna D. Shira, his elder sister.

She said two central government officials had recently requested her to convince Shira to join the mainstream. "I tried all possible ways to convince him (Shira) but he was not willing to accept this as he did not trust the government." In 2014, Shira, a former rebel with the now disbanded A'chik National Volunteer's Council, had joined the mainstream but was allegedly harassed by security forces.

"He (Shira) was not happy with the government and the security forces, who continued to obstruct his activities and business ventures. Disturbed by the situation, he (Shira) fled to the jungle," Aruna added. He had last visited his family in January.

Shira was shot dead by Meghalaya police at Bawangre village, near Dobu in East Garo Hills on Saturday following the killing of NCP candidate Jonathone N. Sangma on February 18. Shira was Meghalaya's most wanted rebel.