Shillong, Aug 7 (IANS): Detained Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) chief Champion R. Sangma has sought the presence of his legal counsel during interrogation, his lawyer said.

"He (Champion) has written a letter to the inspector general of special branch seeking the presence of his counsel during his interrogation," Sangma's legal counsel Sujit Dey said late Monday.

He said the letter would be handed over to the Meghalaya Police headquarters Tuesday.

Sangma, whose outfit is fighting for a separate Garoland, was arrested July 30 near the India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya.

Meanwhile, Champion's wife Enritha N. Marak has sought information from the Meghalaya Police in relation to her husband's service in the department.

Sangma, a former deputy superintendent of police, deserted the Meghalaya Police due to alleged harassment from his superiors and floated the GNLA in November 2009. The Meghalaya government terminated his service in July 2010.

"She (Champion's wife) has sought all the relevant information, through the RTI Act, 2005, from the public information officer of the office of the Meghalaya police," Dey said.

Champion had met his legal counsel Saturday and hinted the possibility of holding talks with the government.

He is wanted by the police for allegedly masterminding several crimes, including killings and extortion in insurgency-ravaged Garo Hills.

He has been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.