Our Bureau
TURA/SHILLONG: Suspected Garo militants on Monday abducted the branch manager of SBI’s Ampati branch from the outskirts of Garobadha town while he was proceeding to his work place.
The bank official Arvind Kumar, who is in his mid 30s’ and had been on leave, was heading for Ampati to resume duty when the incident took place at around 10 am.
Three motorcycle-borne youth, who were armed with pistols and had been tailing the official, stopped his personal car bearing an Assam registration plate just after it had crossed the Garobadha bridge.
Two of the boys, reportedly, got inside the car and directed the driver to take the vehicle towards the Rangsakona- Mellim road followed from behind by the other militant driving the two-wheeler.
After travelling several kilometres they halted at a place called Bollonggitok and took away the bank official leaving the driver and the car behind.
Following news of his abduction South West Garo Hills police immediately launched an operation and till filing of this story a massive search and rescue operation was underway.
The young official who was earlier serving in the Tura Chandmari branch of the SBI had joined Ampati about a year ago.
The identity of the militants so far remains unknown but prime suspect for police happen to be the GNLA.
Other groups including ASAK, UALA and even the ANVC-B are also known to operate in the area, according to police.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, while condemning the incident, said that the people involved in this crime wanted to display their cowardice by holding up innocent people and use them as their bargaining chip.
Stating that such crimes would not be tolerated, he, in a statement, said that all efforts would be made to ensure that the perpetrators of the crime were brought to book.
Meanwhile, the National People’s Party (NPP) has also condemned the kidnapping of Arvind Kumar.
In a statement NPP spokesperson James Sangma said that the situation in Garo hills has reached to such a point that no citizen is safe. The party also requested the perpetrators of this kidnapping to immediately release the bank official.
“This incident also goes to prove that the law and order situation of Garo hills is beyond the control of MUA Government,” James said.
Appeal: Meanwhile, the State Bank of India Officers Association in Garo Hills has appealed the kidnappers to release Arvind Kumar unharmed.
The officers association announced that whether to go for the closure of banks in Garo Hills would be decided later.
“Out of 120 officers required for the functioning of 41 SBI branches in Garo Hills only 14 are Garo officers,” said A M Marak, regional secretary of the SBI officers’ association in Garo Hills in a statement adding that incidents like this would deter officers from coming to Garo Hills and the people of Garo Hills would be the ultimate losers.