Abduction of school teacher in Garo Hills: GNLA denies hand
SHILLONG: Even as GNLA has denied its involvement in the abduction of a school teacher Maliram Rabha in North Garo Hills, police has claimed that it is the GNLA cadres in the name of A’chik Matgrik Tiger Force (AMTF) committed the crime.
Police sources claimed that it is a well known fact that GNLA and ULFA have close links and Dhrishti Rajkhowa sends his cadres to the GNLA camps for training.
A police official on condition of anonymity on Wednesday said that a group of GNLA cadres led by Piliport kidnapped Rabha for ransom.
“Since he does not want a bad name for GNLA, he did it in the name AMTF,” the official said.
Earlier in the day, the publicity secretary of the outfit Garo Mandei Ch Marak in a statement issued to the media also criticized North Garo Hills Police chief, JFK Marak for dragging the name of the organization and trying to put the blame on GNLA.
“Since, the kidnappers are identified themselves as the members of Achik Matgrik Tiger Force(AMTF), how come the police blame us and how can they hold GNLA cadre Philiford responsible if he was just spotted by locals near that area.? GNLA asked
According to GNLA, it is a desperate attempt on the part of police to tarnish the image of the GNLA and to draw condemnation from all NGOs and the people. “If the police have solid proof as claimed by SP JFK Marak, they should make it public”, GNLA added.
It may be mentioned that Rabha, a primary school teacher hailing from Damas area of North Garo Hills, was abducted at a gunpoint from his residence on Tuesday morning.
The militants claimed to be members of a non-existent rebel outfit AMTF and walked off with their captive on foot towards the interior of Damas region, bordering Goalpara district of Assam. They were last spotted heading towards remote Chitukona village of Damas.
The victim teaches at Singimari Rabhapara LP School, near Krishnai town of Goalpara district.