GNLA demands Rs 20 lakh
SHILLONG: The whereabouts of the brother of a Meghalaya legislator kidnapped by Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) rebels are still unknown, four days since the abduction.
The proscribed GNLA, which has kidnapped the younger brother of Baghmara legislator Samuel M Sangma from his residence at Gasuapara village of South Garo Hills on Thursday night, has, reportedly, demanded Rs 20 lakh for his release.
According to South Garo Hills SP, DNR Marak, even though the family members of the kidnapped coal exporter Naga M. Sangma (37) have denied receiving an extortion call, sources informed police that the kidnappers had demanded a hefty ransom for the release of the Independent legislator’s brother.
Reacting to a query, the SP informed that the militants are continuously shifting the victim from one place to another and the police’s rescue teams have been able to reach the concerned locations only a little late.
“Our priority is to get him alive,” Marak said adding that combing operations have been launched since Thursday last to rescue the kidnapped coal exporter.
Sangma was relaxing next to a bonfire with some friends in the compound of his walled house when three armed men, dressed in camouflages, entered the premises at approximately 7:30 pm and asked him to accompany them.
The SP said that the difficult terrain is working to the advantage to the militants.
The Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and Meghalaya’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) commandos have been pressed into service to trace Sangma.
ANVC-B submits list of cadres, arms: Meanwhile, the ANVC-B has submitted a list of its cadres and arms to Government through a letter addressed to ADG Special Branch.
In a statement issued here on Monday, ANVC-B leader Doang Shira said the names of 151 cadres have been submitted to Government as agreed by the outfit in the last tripartite meeting in Shillong.
ANVC-B is now awaiting Government to relocate an Shira said Government had assured to provide a liaison office and designated camps for the ANVC-B cadres and it must work out the formalities at the earliest to rehabilitate the cadres as they are scattered and displaced and stranding them further will only make things worse.
“We do not want anything to happen when everything is moving towards settlement,” Shira said.