Shillong: A surrendered militant of the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) of Meghalaya has said many cadres of the outfit have been "forced" to work in farms in a neighbouring country to eke out a living for themselves.

Deningstar Rapsang, who was paraded before the scribes by the East Khasi Hills police authorities yesterday (Dec 17, 2004) after he laid down arms, said the militant outfit was undergoing severe funds crunch.

"Most of the cadres are now being forced to work in betel leaf and areca nut farms in many Khasi villages located across the border in Bangladesh," Rapsang, who surrendered with an AK-47 rifle, a pistol and ammunition, told reporters.

The severe funds crunch in the HNLC has led to a situation where the cadres were not being provided with salaries, sufficient food, clothing and even proper shelter. "I had seen enough of bloodshed in the camp. There is no mercy and forgiveness even among the cadres," Rapsang, who witnessed the killing of his four colleagues, recalled.

Hailing from Mawlai area of Shillong, Rapsang had enrolled in the HNLC in 2000 and completed training in the Chittagmng Hill Tracts. He said he had spent more than a year in Bangladesh since 2003.

The top-brass of the HNLC were in Bangladesh, he said adding their exact whereabouts were not known.