Mystery over GNLA chief’s arrest continues
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The ‘mystery’ over arrest of GNLA chairman Champion R Sangma in Bangladesh continues with the State Government saying that it does have any information in this connection.
“We are not aware about the reported arrest of the GNLA chairman,” Chief Secretary WMS Pariat told reporters here on Monday.
When asked if Union Home Ministry has intimated the State Government anything in this regard, Pariat replied in the negative.
Champion, who claims to be fighting for a separate Garoland, was reportedly detained by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) commandos on Wednesday night from Haluaghat in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh.
Expressing concern over abduction Dadenggre BDO PK Boro, Pariat said all efforts were on to ensure safe release of the official.
On Monday last, while Boro, was kidnapped at gun point from his office chamber, two traders — Dulal Modak and Rokybul Haque, were abducted from Kalchengpara weekly market. Both the areas fall under West Garo Hills district.
“Our priority now is to secure his (Boro) release. The district administration is also giving full support to the officer’s family,” the Chief Secretary said.
The Chief Secretary informed that the government reviewed the security arrangement for officials working in Garo Hills.
Meanwhile, the State Government has urged the GNLA to release the abducted BDO and two others and surrender their arms, ammunition to normalise the situation.
In a statement issued here on Monday, the State Government admitted that situation in the Garo Hills “is a matter of serious concern for the Government”.
“The State Government is determined to contain the militancy in various parts of the State,” the statement said. According to the Government, the GNLA has been procuring and using sophisticated weapons against the innocent civilians.It may be mentioned that the GNLA had warned the Government that it would kidnap more Government officials and harm civilians if the Government fails to withdraw the special security forces currently engaged in the counter-insurgency operations in the Garo Hills.