By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Suspected GNLA militants threatened to shoot Congress legislator from Raksamgre, West Garo Hills, Limison Sangma, if he does not pay an amount of Rs 5 lakh on May 18.
The legislator informed that it was on May 12 that the self styled GNLA area commander, Rang Dat, sent him an SMS asking him to pay the amount by May 14, failing which the militant threatened to kill him.
The militant also sent another text message on May 13 reminding him to pay the amount by May 14 and after getting no response, the deadline was extended to May 18 through another text message sent on Tuesday.
The legislator said that he has taken up the matter with Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma and also informed the local police station about the issue.
Limison, who is currently camping in Shillong, said that last year on three occasions, the GNLA had sent demand notes to him asking to pay an amount ranging from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.
According to the legislator, the GNLA had issued two demand letters of Rs 10 and 50 lakh each last year – first one in May and the second one in October – asking him to pay the amount.
Moreover, during the Assembly election in February, the GNLA had demanded Rs 7 lakh from him.
Though the legislator took up the matter with the police, investigation did not lead to any arrest of the militants.
To a query on whether any political rivalry was involved behind the incident, the legislator replied that this needs to be investigated.
The police have already provided security to the legislator.
Normalcy returns to school after attack
A day after a firing incident at Rongding Awe School playground, Nongalbibra in South Garo Hills District, police informed that the situation was normal and classes were going on as usual. The police, however, maintained that there was a fear psychosis among the students, parents and teachers.
About five to six GNLA cadres on Monday fired on security forces from a school playground at Nongalbibra but the security forces had to refrain from firing back at the militants due to the presence of hundreds of school children.
The GNLA militants were led by its self styled sergeant major and commander of the southern range, Rakkam Marak.
“This is not the first time that the GNLA had taken advantage of the situation as police had to restrain from exchanging fire due to the presence of civilians,” Superintendent of Police Davis R Marak said here on Tuesday.
When asked about the purpose of the GNLA for entering the school premises, Marak said that the school was the rendezvous point for the militant outfit which had come to collect money from their financier, one Uttam Marak, who was arrested on Monday.
“The GNLA had chosen the place to fix the meeting with their financier knowing well that police would not retaliate,” the SP added.
No other arrest has been made the SP said, adding that police have seized Rs 3.8 lakh from the possession of Uttam Marak.