BAJENGDOBA: The kidnapping of two Rabhas, one a driver of a JCB, Darasingh Rabha and another, Heman Rabha from the village of Gindopara a few days has not gone down too well with the residents of North Garo Hills (NGH) region.
A few days after the kidnapping of the two by suspected militants from
the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) and its northern area commander, Philiport, a public meeting was held on Monday in the village of Bajengdoba which set a deadline of two days for the safe release of the two kidnapped labourers.
The abduction of the two has suddenly led to a lot of consternation between the Rabha and Garo communities with elders from the Rabha community along with the All Rabha Students Union (ARSU) seeking the immediate release of the two without condition.
The meeting held on Monday at the Bajengdoba HS school playground was attended by various bodies of the district including the GSU, NGH and Assam, AAYF, FAF, FKJGP among others along with members of the Church, senior citizens, elders from the area and others from nearby villages.
“This act is condemnable and deplorable. We cannot stand for kidnappings like this that is putting two communities at strife by their acts. We appeal to the abductors of the two men to immediately set them free so that we can all live in peace”, said Wilness Marak, a member of the NGH Vigilance Forum (NGHVF).
Sources confirmed that the ARSU has been very unhappy with the kidnapping of the two and even threatened to block highways if the two were not released quickly. “We are really unhappy with the incident that happened and want the abductors to understand the sentiment of the people. The Rabha-Garo conflict has been a dark chapter in the lives of many and we don’t want a repeat of what happened earlier. We want to appeal to the abductors to immediately release them so that tensions do not escalate once again”, said a member of the Rabha community.
The meeting while setting a deadline of two days sought the immediate release of the two to ensure things did not get out of hand.
Meanwhile, the associations have also appealed to the district administration and the superintendent of police concerned to expedite the process of rescuing the bus driver and conductor who were recently abducted by unidentified militants from near Silkigre area in South Garo Hills.
