Meghalaya government today sacked yet another cop, Bitharstone R Marak, for having deserted the police and joined the outlawed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), an official said.
Marak, who deserted his battalion on April 19 earlier this year was arrested by Assam police on the same evening along with three arms smugglers Bikunjoy Longmailai, Hari Gayari and Tapan Baishya of Assam's Dima Hasau, Karbi Anglong and Kamrup districts respectively.
"The government found it fit to dismiss policeman Bitharstone R Marak for his anti-national activities," Home Minister Roshan Warjri told PTI.
She said the 4th MLP Battalion dismissed Havildar Bitharstone R Marak by invoking the powers conferred under Article 311 (2) (b) of the Constitution, for his activities of working for GNLA the proscribed terrorist organization.
Inspector General of Police G H P Raju said Article 311 (2)(b) the Constitution empowered the state police to dismiss any deserter without holding any inquiry.
The state government had earlier sacked jailed GNLA Chairman Champion Sangma after he deserted the force and co-founded the militant outfit.
Another officer was sacked last year after he was indicted in gangraping of a minor school girl in a hotel.
According to the police official, Marak left the Battalion headquarters in West Khasi Hills, Sohpian for Assam, without any permission apparently to receive AK ammunition from the arms smugglers.
He was arrested along with the three on the same day by Assam Police at Jorabat Teenali area and a case under 25 (I-A)/29 Arms Act was registered by the Basista Police against him.
The Assam Police recovered mobiles, cash of Rs 50,000 and 130 rounds of AK series ammunition from Marak and his accomplice.
He was also accused of being 'actively engaged' in providing logistic support to GNLA militants for quite some time.
Marak is now under judicial custody in East Garo Hills district Jail in Williamnagar.
