Altogether 23 accused including 16 juveniles, in criminal cases of kidnap and extortion surrendered in Meghalaya's West Garo Hills district, police said today.
"A group of 23 accused in criminal cases who were involved in several incidents of kidnapping, extortion in Agia-Rongsai-Tikrikilla areas have surrendered en-mass in Tikrikilla Police Station yesterday," state police Spokesperson G H P Raju said.
Of them, "We have arrested seven hardcore criminals and four juveniles who have committed kidnappings and extortion," Raju said.
Four juveniles were sent to Juvenile Homes for correctional counselling while the other surrendered juveniles were handed over to their parents/guardians by the police.
Those who have surrendered admitted their involvement in various dacoity and kidnap cases under Tikrikilla Police Station limits, the police spokesperson said.
Police claimed that counter-insurgency operations have led to the mass surrender of these gangs.
The surrender came on a day the Meghalaya High Court asked the Centre to enforce Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in militancy-hit Garo Hills region in the state to help the administration restore the rule of law.
