Top LAEF militant leader killed in Meghalaya

Shillong, Aug 22 (UNI) The Liberation Achik Elite Force (LAEF) received a major setback when its 'Commander-in-Chief' Peter Marak was killed in an encounter with Special Operation Team (SOT) of Meghalaya police in East Garo Hills district today.

Marak, arrested yesterday morning from Jorabad area bordering Assam-Meghalaya border, was killed when the SOT personnel was proceeding to the LAEF's Kalak camp under Williamnagar Police station of East Garo Hills District, Superintendent of Police S Nongtynger told UNI.

Police also seized two AK rifles, 9 mm pistol, ammunition, mobile handset and incriminating documents from Marak's possession and from the encounter site, he said.

Mr Nongtynger said during the gun battle many of the LAEF militants, however, managed to escape.

Marak, a former Meghalaya Police constable, formed the LAEF on August 19, 2003 with an aim to fight for an ''independent Garo state'' or ''A'chik state'' in Meghalaya.

Earlier, the slain LAEF chief also unsuccessfully contested the byelection to Songsak seat as an independent candidate.

The LAEF had alleged links with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (IM) through Marak.

The militant group hogged the limelight after the recent triple bomb blasts in Tura, Nagalbibra and Mandipathar on June 22. It also boycotted the recent Independence Day celebration in Garo Hills.

UNI