From Our Correspondent
TURA: In view of sudden closure of the gas agency in Williamnagar due to extortion demand by militants, the East Garo Hills district administration acted swiftly by getting in touch with the Indian Oil Company in Guwahati and bringing in a truck load of refill cylinders after force opening of the gas godown on Saturday.
The administration took control of the supply of essential cooking gas since the consumers were suffering immensely due to refill cylinder shortage.
The administration deposited the required amount with the gas company in Guwahati and brought in the truck load much to the relief of the consumers.
Earlier, gas agency shut down its godown after it was served with a extortion note to pay Rs 25 lakh by the Garo terrorist outfit – Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA).
M/s Jims Flame, which is the only gas agency for Williamnagar and nearby towns received extortion note from the GNLA asking to pay a sum of Rs 25 lakhs two weeks back, district deputy commissioner Vijay Kumar Mantri said.
He said thereafter the manager of the gas agency fled to Tura closing the shop.
Taking cognisance of the complaints lodged by the NGOs and common public, Mantri said, “I have directed the EAC (Supply) to take control of the gas agency by force opening the godown”.
Following the order, the supply branch of East Garo Hills District Administration on Saturday distributed LPG cylinders to the public who have booked their cylinders since past two weeks, he informed.
Meanwhile, a public meeting was held with the NGOs and common public on Friday last where in the EAC (supply) Ripamchi Sangma, MCS appealed to the public to raise their voice against mindless extortion call of insurgent groups to essential service providers like gas agencies and bank officials. (With inputs from PTI)