Businessmen vulnerable; authorities say situation under control
SHILLONG: The number of kidnapping and extortion cases are on the rise in the limestone and coal-rich district of East Jaintia Hills and taking strong note of the frequent incidents, the State Police has formed a Special Operation Team (SOT) to keep a check on the illegal activities in the district.
East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Bhagotia said, “Keeping in mind the reports of kidnapping and extortion the authorities have formed the SOT to keep vigil in the district.”
However, despite frequent reports of kidnapping and extortion, the authorities believe that the issue has been overplayed by the media.
While informing that three kidnapping cases have been reported in the last one month, East Jaintia Hills SP MK Dkhar denied that there is a kidnapping-spree in the district.
According to Dkhar, police is working on the cases and a breakthrough would be made very soon.
It has been learnt that business establishments in many areas of the district like Lad Rymbai, Khliehrait, Lumshnong are closing down before dusk fearing kidnapping and extortion.
However, the SP denied such reports even as the business fraternity cried vulnerable.
“There were not less than ten kidnappings over the past few months and most the kidnappers seem to be from outside the State,” a local businessman said on condition of anonymity.
Local MLA of Sutgna, Hopeful Bamon said that he had held a meeting with the district authorities on Monday and urged them to further beef up the security and vigil in the coal and limestone-rich belts of the district.
Our Jowai
Correspondent adds
Concerned over the rise of kidnapping cases in East Jaintia Hills District, the Joint Village Defense Party (VDP) under Sutnga Elaka has decided to do its bit in tackling the menace.
The decision was taken in a joint meeting attended by members of VDPs from different villages along with Rangbah Shnong of the respective areas recently at Umpleng near Jaintia Cements .
Joint VDP president N Lamurong informed that all shops, establishments operating in Sookilo, Umpleng and Nongjri village market near Sakhian village would be instructed to close down before 6 pm.
“Outsiders who have come to work in the areas would be asked to get themselves registered either with the respective VDPs and village Dorbars of the area,” Lamurong said.
The Ka Sein Ladrymbai Pyllun- an umbrella organisation of four Dorbar Shnong in Ladrymbai has also instructed all outsiders residing in the area to get themselves registered.
