ASAK, not GNLA kidnapped traders
TURA: A 50-year-old trader, who escaped from his abductors’ camp on Friday, told police that the kidnappers were not GNLA cadres but members of ASAK outfit led by Reding T Sangma.
Saher Ali was among the nine traders from Assam’s Mankachar who were kidnapped from near Chokpot in South Garo Hills on Thursday morning. Ali escaped early on Friday morning when the rest of the men, including other captives, were sleeping in a densely forested area of Silkigre.
Earlier, police were suspecting the role of GNLA cadres in the incident.
Ali told police that there were four armed men and they were on vigil by turns. “Ali said he made his escape when one of the guards moved away. It was dark too. After walking for close to two hours, he spotted a village and sought help from a woman, who showed him the way to Silkigre where the police camp is,” police said based on Ali’s narration.
The trader told police that those responsible for the kidnapping were members of ASAK outfit that has demanded Rs 20 lakh for freeing the abducted traders.
Ali was brought to Tura on Saturday from where Assam police took him into protective custody and escorted him back to his state. Security forces have come to know that ASAK chief Reding T Sangma was present during the abduction after he was identified by Ali from a photograph in the police file.
Additional DGP (Law and Order) S.B Singh is camping in Williamnagar to have better co-ordination.
