SBI employee released by militants

TURA, AUG 21: Sixteen days after he was kidnapped, SBI employee Subodh Kumar Mishra was released late Wednesday night by his abductors near Sibbari in South Garo Hills. He was kidnapped at gunpoint by ASAK outfit near Gasuapara, South Garo hills on August 5, while he was returning from his office.

Mishra told reporters that he was released by the abductor unharmed on Wednesday at around 11:30 pm.  He said, “I was not wearing watch, so I am not sure but it was very late and dark. I stayed overnight at  under construction building at Sibbari and took a bus this morning at around 6:30.”

Twenty seven year old Mishra looked visibly “weak” and “traumatized.” He was reluctant to talk much about his ordeal. He reported at Dalu police station from where he was escorted to Tura on Thursday morning.

Sibbari is about 70 km from Tura, and is along India-Bangladesh border. “There were five to eight militants, who spoke in broken Hindi. They made me walk about five to six hours every day. I will not be able to tell the locations as I am not familiar with the area”, he  added.

Mishra joined the SBI as an assistant in 2013 and was posted at Gasuapara branch in South Garo hills.  When asked whether he was threatened to be killed, he replied, “No”. He said the abductors snatched my cell phone on the first day and never returned. They did not allow him to speak to anybody including my family.”

Mishra revealed  that the militants were wearing black T-shirt and camouflage trouser. Narrating the order he said, “We stayed in jungle and criss-crossed streams. It was very dark inside the forest.”

When asked, whether the abductors gave him food, he was just not willing to talk further.  Mishra was wearing the same shirt and pant since the time he was abducted.

Inspector General of Police (Western range) H. Nongpluh said, “Our operation is still on in the area. On  several occasion we came close but could not track them down. We feel that the abductors were aware of our movement and were pressurized to release him.”

Assistant general manager of SBI (Garo hills division) Nixon Joseph said, “It is a huge relief for us. We only appeal that bankers are not abducted anymore.” He informed that Mishra parents were in Guwahati and is on their way to Tura to receive him.

Mishra’s abduction had led to civil emergency in Garo hills with SB offices remaining shut. When asked, whether the SBI will continue their strike in Garo hills, Joseph said that the decision will be taken in Guwahati headquarters.

Police say that ASAK has split over the issue of sharing the loot. The breakaway group is named as A’chik Matgrik Elite Force (AMEF), which is led by Jack Marak. He is a former GNLA militant leader.

Police said that Jack was the master mind behind Mishra’s abduction. In 2011, he planned the abduction of a block development officer from his office at Dadenggre.  In 2013, he deserted GNLA to former the ASAK along with Reding T. Sangma, who now heads the outfit.

“These groups are for amassing quick money through extortion, kidnapping and killings. New groups emerges from the old group due to differences in sharing the loot”, said a police officer.

On June 16, Arvind Kumar, an SBI branch manager of Ampati in South West Garo hills was abducted from Garobadha. He was rescued by police unharmed in an operation on June 18. -From Our Correspondent