TURA: Calls for a closer co-ordination between security forces of both India and Bangladesh have been suggested to contain the rising cases of crime committed by cross-border criminals inside Garo Hills.
This was one of the key points raised during a protest rally at Tura against the recent abduction of the father of a Catholic missionary priest in remote Rongara village of South Garo Hills where Bangladeshi criminals are believed to have crossed into Indian territory and taken captive the 70 year old retired government employee and teacher before crossing back to their own country.
Several thousand protesters took to the streets in Tura on Tuesday morning in a silent protest rally against the abduction following a clarion call made by the Catholic Church in Garo Hills.
Missionaries including Catholic fathers, sisters and the brothers’ congregation together with church leaders and reverends of the Garo Baptist Convention, the United Christian Peace Forum and social and student organizations in unison called for the immediate and unconditional release of Aidinon R. Marak.
The aged father of Catholic missionary Rev. Fr. Francis N Marak was abducted from his home on the night of June 15 by a five member criminal gang.
Since his abduction the kidnappers did not contact the family and it was only this week that a call had been made to demand thirty lakh rupees as ransom for his safe release.
Shocked over the incident, the protesters gathered on the premises of the Sacred Heart Church in Tura where religious leaders, politicians and student members strongly denounced the abduction and demanded the immediate safe release of the elderly parent.
President of the United Christian Peace Forum, Rev. Greaterburn R Marak, Rev. Mahnseng Momin, and GSU president Tengsak G. Momin were among those who joined the protest rally.
Words of comfort for the affected family, special prayers and hymns were sung during the gathering before the protesters marched in silence through the streets of Tura holding placards against the incident.
Speaking on behalf of the sixty elected representatives of the State, South Tura MLA John Leslee K. Sangma said it was alarming to know that criminals were crossing the international border to commit crime inside Garo Hills.
He said the need of the hour was for the central and state governments to co-ordinate with the Bangladesh government so that action could be taken against groups taking shelter across the border.
He also said that regular contacts and co-ordination would go a long way in preventing crimes from taking place.
President of the Garo Baptist Convention (GBC), Rodrick D. Shira while speaking at the rally condemned the abduction and appealed to the perpetrators to release Marak unharmed immediately.
