Coal bodies, KSU call for unconditional release
SHILLONG: The whereabouts of coal dealer and Church elder Dinar Syiemlieh, who was kidnapped from Borsora in South West Khasi Hills on December 3, is still unknown.
Concerned over the matter, the Meghalaya Mine Owners and Exporters Association and State Co-ordination Committee of Coal Owners, Miners and Dealers Forum have appealed to the abductors to release him unharmed.
In a joint statement issued on Sunday, the coal bodies said that it is a matter of concern that there are frequent kidnappings of people including their members for ransom.
The organizations appealed to the kidnappers of Syiemlieh, who hails from Kulang, to release him unconditionally. They also said that Syiemlieh is suffering from ailments related to thyroid and asthma.
The Khasi Students Union, South West Khasi Hills unit, meanwhile, urged the abductors to release Syiemlieh before December 10.
The KSU also decided to go ahead with the public meeting slated to be held on December 10 at Mawkyrwat, to oppose the abductions and harassment meted out to the people of Mawkyrwat by the Garo militants.
In a statement issued to the press, KSU’s SWKH unit general secretary, Forwardman Nongrem alleged that Garo militants are involved in the abduction of Syiemlieh.
The KSU leader also reportedly said that “they are prepared to fight the Garo militants”.
Nongrem added, “There are many Garos residing in South West Garo Hills and we have lived in harmony with them all this while. But the militants have disrupted the cordial relations we share with the Garos.”
The KSU, meanwhile, urged the residents of South West Khasi Hills including the Syiem and NGOs to participate in the public meeting.
It may be mentioned that SWKH District Police chief, Raghavendra Kumar had on Saturday said that three police teams had been deployed to rescue Syiemlieh and information has also been shared with the Border Security Force considering that there are possibilities of the victim being taken to Bangladesh.