TURA: Fear is stalking the hearts and minds of those villagers who recently received compensation from the Central government for parting with their land for the national highway expansion in East Garo Hills following the daring abduction of a village Nokma on Thursday night.
Six men came and knocked on the doors of Kredinath M Sangma, Nokma of Songsak Bonegre village, at around 11 pm on Thursday and took away the 41-year-old headman. His house is located 4 km from Songsak town.
The Nokma was one among many who had parted with a large portion of their land for the ongoing national highway construction and expansion of NH-44 (E) which will connect Tura with Shillong via Shallang and Nongstoin.
His abduction is believed to be for ransom since he had recently obtained compensation to the tune of 78 lakh rupees.
Police have identified the kidnappers as a gang of dacoits numbering 6-7 who are going by the name of A’chik National Liberation Co-operative Army.
The gang is believed to be armed with one AK rifle and is led by an ANVC deserter from Rongjeng region.
“Out of the six men who went to the Nokma’s house only one was armed with an AK rifle. He has been identified as Sengban from Rongjeng. We have launched operations to rescue the Nokma unharmed,” informed district police chief JFK Marak.
Ever since monetary compensation began to be given out last year for those who parted with their land both militants and criminals have been demanding a slice of the compensation pie. Militant groups are learnt to have collected a percentage of the compensation money from each of the beneficiaries.
