TURA: A rice mill owner was woken from his slumber during the early hours of Friday by a group of suspected GNLA militants and shot dead in cold blood in Oragitok village of West Garo Hills close to the foothills of Nokrek national park.
A group of five to seven men carrying automatic rifles entered the village, not far from the main state highway connecting Tura with Williamnagar, and called out fifty-year-old Onarson A Sangma at around 3 am early morning. The armed men reportedly asked the rice mill owner some questions and not satisfied with his answer opened fire killing him on the spot. As many as three rounds are said to have hit the victim from close range.
“It appears to be the handiwork of the banned GNLA and personal enmity against the victim is also being looked into,” said district SP Mukesh Kr Singh.
The killing has sent shock waves across the region and instilled fear in the minds of the rural folk at a time when traditionally people begin Christmas festivities by participating in late night community gatherings to usher in the biggest celebration of the year.
