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SHILLONG, May 30
Condemning acts of extortion, the Garo Hills State Movement Committee (GHSMC) on Saturday denied that the group arrested on Friday from near Dalu comprises members of the committee.
The condemnation comes in the wake of the sensational arrest of five persons on an extortion spree, serving demand notes to coal exporters in the name of the NGO. The five were arrested from near Dalu, about 45 kms from here. In a press release issued on Saturday, the GHSMC publicity secretary, Cleverbirth K Marak said, "The alleged arrested extortionists who were arrested by West Garo Hills (WGH) Police are not the leaders of GHSMC".
Further the group stated that since the formation of the GHSMC, the movement was led by Nikman Ch Marak as chairman and Augustine Marak as its general secretary. , "There has been no election or reshuffle of leadership till date and Rupalson T. Sangma and Lambirth Ch. Momin (who were arrested) are not the leaders of the committee. The names of the arrested persons mentioned are not members of the committee" stated Marak.
“The GHSMC never indulges in extortion and serving of demand notes to any businessmen. We never allow using of pad and seal of the committee other than for official purposes and only the chairman and general secretary are allowed to use the pad and seal of the Committee ", added Marak.
"We strongly condemn such activities of the extortionists,” asserted the GHSMC while further warning that any person who commits such crimes in the name of the GHSMC in the future, the committee itself will submit such extortionists to the police.
