Kidnappers used dummy

From Our Correspondent

TURA,JAN 11: South Garo hills on Wednesday said dummy weapons were used for abduction of the three traders yesterday in Meghalaya’s South Garo Hills. The incident took place at Telekhali Forest Reserve area near Dumnikura village, along the India – Bangladesh border. Of the 11 traders from Dalu in West Garo hills, who were en route to Jadugre weekly market in a pickup van- eight managed to flee. Police said that since the abductors had dummy weapon and so they did not fire gunshots.

Police had suspected it to be the handiwork of Asak outfit.

However, it claimed that the abduction was engineered by cross border groups with support of local elements from South Garo hills. Along the international border, anti-social groups operate in cross border criminal activities.

“We have identified a few people and arrests are expected to be made soon in the case. The kidnappers used fear of weapon and were able to kidnap despite using fake weapons,” said Anand Mishra, superintendent of police, South Garo Hills.

From November last, there was lull in insurgent activities in Garo hills as most rebels had surrendered. Most of the cadres of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) operating in South Garo hills had also surrendered last year. However, Asak outfit is still active in the area.

In September last, eight Assam traders were also abducted from Chokpot region of South Garo hills. A week later, all of them were released following payment of ransom.

In South Garo hills region, militants after abduction manage to sneak into Bangladesh, as the district is close to the border.

Last year, 150 militants had surrendered from across Garo hills and there was a lull in insurgent activities. “Search operation is still on in the area”, the SP added.