Menace of highway gangs along Baghmara route
TURA: The menace of armed highway gangs out to make a quick buck by poaching on travelling civilians and government officials alike continue unabated in the Garo Hills districts.
On Monday morning, armed dacoits tried to stop the vehicle that the divisional officer of the Soil and Water Conservation Department was travelling in from Tura to Baghmara.
According to police, as the driver and the officer, Limbirth Marak, was crossing Bilkona area, two men emerged from the undergrowth and signalled them to stop. When the driver refused to heed to their signal, one of the criminals opened fire from a small weapon and the bullet hit the front right tyre of the vehicle.
The officer and the driver drove through and proceeded on to Baghmara, 39 kms away, and reported the matter to the authorities.
Police believe it is the handiwork of the same gang that had just over a week back attempted to rob another government official who was heading to his work station in Baghmara.
The Superintendent of Excise department in Baghmara, Binedhor Rava, was targeted by a criminal gang at Kolapara/Ramchenga area. Despite the robbery attempt the officer managed to get away in his vehicle.
The Kolapara/Ramchenga area of Gasuapara region in South Garo Hills was where GNLA militants ambushed a police team that was coming from Tura and heading towards Baghmara in March 2014.
The police team was escorting an under-trial prisoner back to South Garo Hills when the GNLA ambushed them, killing five police personnel and taking away three AK rifles and a carbine weapon.