SHILLONG, AUG 28: The state government has appealed to the public especially businessmen and business entity to refrain from contributing money to the banned militant outfit GNLA and warned that contributing directly or indirectly, voluntary or involuntarily to a terrorist organization is a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment up to fourteen years with or without fines.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the state home department said that certain individuals and business entities have been recently instructed to contribute financially to the coffers of GNLA, a terrorist organization under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967.
The statement said in the past some senior GNLA cadres have been specifically given the task by their leaders to contact contributors to cough up money by way of annual tax for the year 2016-17.
The statement said, “GNLA is facing serious financial crunch and would like to raise finances by any means to support its cadres, buy weapons and induct new recruits.”
The home department said it views this development with seriousness and would solicit co-operation from the public including businessmen, exporters’ community and chamber of commerce not to succumb to the diktats of the GNLA and other militant and criminal gangs for raising funds to carry on with their criminal and anti-social activities.
The statement warned any individual entity handing terror funds for the purpose of laundering may be liable under relevant provisions for freezing of their bank accounts, seizures and attachment of all assets etc.
The statement said it is incumbent on the recipients of extortion calls, SMSes, e-mails and such other messages to bring the matter to the notice of the district and state authorities immediately to enable the administration to take up necessary steps to protect the individuals and take remedial measures to stop all such undesirable activities.
The home department assured that sharing of information shall be treated with utmost confidentiality to protect the identity of the informant. The statement said, “It also must be understood that if an individual/ business entity succumbs once to the pressure of such criminal elements and funds them for whatever reasons, they are likely to be targeted repeatedly for more contributions.”
Further it said contributions to the GNLA coffers will not only encourage the militant outfit to spread their web far and wide and make similar demands but will also increase their ranks and firepower leading to increased criminal activities , disturbing peace and order in the society .
The statement said the state government appeals to the general public and especially business community to abstain from such activity willfully or otherwise. Information in this regard may kindly be shared with local administration at Deputy Commissioner/ Superintendent of Police level and at state level with Police Headquarters, it added.-By Our Reporter
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