Shillong, Oct 18: After hiding for many years in Bangladesh, Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council “general secretary” Cheristerfield Thangkhiew surrendered before the Meghalaya government on Thursday, though he claimed that he returned because he has “retired” from the organization.

Thangkhiew alias Bah Che, surrendered before Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong without any arms or ammunition even though he claimed that all his weapons were left in his hideout in Bangladesh and he did not dare to carry them along, as he feared arrest by Bangladeshi forces.

According to sources, Thangkhiew crossed over to India a few days ago after which, the surrender ceremony was arranged at the state police headquarters on Thursday.

“Thangkhiew moved via Nohksiar, a Khasi village in Bangladesh and crossed over to Dawki in Meghalaya via the border,” sourced said.

The 51-year old Thangkhiew has been hiding in Bangladesh for over two decades and he was the founding member of the HNLC along with the then ‘chairman’, Julias K. Dorphang and ‘commander-in chief’ Bobby Marweiñ.

Dorphang left the HNLC following internal feud, and surrendered before the then chief minister, D.D. Lapang on July 24, 2007.

The HNLC was formed following a 1992 split in the Hynñiewtrep A’chik Liberation Council (HALC), a separatist organisation floated by the Khasi and Garo tribes. The HALC was the first militant outfit in Meghalaya formed in 1987 where Thangkhiew was also part of it.

The Centre has declared HNLC an outlawed organization on 16 November 2000.

Tynsong described it a “memorable day” the joining of Thangkhiew and said that he would start a new life after he disconnected himself for several years from the mainstream society.

Like other HNLC leaders, Thangkhiew was once the most wanted militant by the Meghalaya police and he was alleged of indulging in kidnappings, killing, robbery and other criminal activities.

Tynsong hoped that Thangkhiew’s decision to come over ground would inspire other HNLC members to follow suit and join the mainstream.

“The state government wants to take forward the agenda of development as we are here to transform our state,” Tynsong said.

Tynsong also thanked the family members of Thangkhiew including his brother (Gre Thangkhiew).

“We have had a number of discussions with Bah Che’s brother. I place my gratitude to Bah Che for coming over ground and joined the mainstream,” Tynsong said.

The Deputy Chief Minister also urged other HNLC cadres to follow Thangkhiew.

Tynsong meanwhile said that the government would make sure that everything “is fine” for Thangkhiew.

“This is not the first case (of surrender) that happened. Whatever needs to be done, it will be done. Leave it to the wisdom of the government to handle it and we will make sure everything is fine,” Tynsong told reporters when asked about criminal cases pending against Thangkhiew.

In the past, the state government did not peruse criminal cases against militant leaders who came to surrender.

Former “chairman” of the HNLC turned-politician, Julias K. Dorphang who surrendered before the then Meghalaya chief minister, D.D. Lapang and he did not face criminal proceedings in connection with old cases registered against him when he was with the HNLC.