From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH: Based on complaints filed by a businessman, the Ri Bhoi police arrested four sympathizers of the Garo militant outfit, GNLA, on charges of extortion.
While three of the sympathisers, Arengh Mukherji (26), Abrus Marak (18), Nephosas Sangma (23)-were arrested on March 20, the fourth, Dikki Sangma, was apprehended on Thursday last from Killing.
According to police sources, the GNLA demanded a ransom of Rs 2 lakh from a businessman in Killing area under Khanapara Police Station on March 12 following which the latter reported the matter to police.
The police then arrested Mukherji, Marak and Sangma from Killing. However, it took a planned effort from the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Crime S. Marsing to arrest the fourth accused Dikki Sangma who, according to sources, was the one to draft the demand note letter.
It may be mentioned that the GNLA had kidnapped
one Dinesh Sharma, owner of the stone quarry in Umtyrnga last year. Sharma was released after the payment of a hefty ransom to the outfit.
The GNLA had also abducted one Mahesh Agarwal from Umiam who was also released after the payment of ransom by his family in Dimapur to the GNLA Area Commander Haderson Sangma who was subsequently arrested.
According to reports, the GNLA even attempted to set up a Byrnihat command in order to spread its reign of terror in Ri Bhoi.
