TURA, OCT 3: Kidnapped Block Development Officer (BDO) of Chokpot Jude Rangku T. Sangma was released by the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) on Tuesday at Allagre village, near Chokpot in South Garo hills.
Sangma was abducted on Tuesday last and was released exactly a week later. He was abducted when he was on his way to Tura after attending a funeral of a relative at Deku Deganggre from Chokpot, where he is serving for the past two years.
He reached his home at Nazing bazaar at around 5 am.
His parents – Tengjing R. Marak and Konika T. Sangma spoke to The Telegraph and narrated the turn of events following the abduction of their son. They informed that their son is in good health.
His father showed picture of his son, who reached early morning today on his mobile, when asked for an audience with him (BDO). “He is too tired after walking for eight long hours through hills and is sleeping”, said Tengjing, “He spoke to us and had food”, he added.
When asked, whether the official told them about the ordeal, the officers mother Konika said, “Our son was given food but he could not take proper rest. We thank almighty that our son came home safe and sound”.
The officers father, when asked, whether the outfit sought any ransom for release of their son, replied in negative. “Two days after the abduction (October 29), we received a call from Heido, who told us not to worry and allowed us to speak to our son”. The rebel had addressed the officer’s father as “mama”, which means uncle.
Tengjing said that the rebel spoke to them very politely and assured that their son would be released after they sort out misunderstandings with him.
The outfit had claimed that Jude had told the chief minister that Rs 40 crore, meant for blacktopping of Chokpot road, was taken away by the outfit and the situation was not conducive to initiate development works.
The worried parents said that the first information about the abduction came from relatives, who learnt that Jude was abducted through Facebook. The outfit uses social media to send out their messages to the public at large and media.
Yesterday, the outfit had called the officers father and informed that their son would be released.
When asked, whether they would appeal to the militants to shun violence and eschew peace, the officers parents said, “Right now, we are not in a proper state of mind. We pray for everyone to be in peace and believe in almighty”.
In a release issued by the GNLA, western area commander Heido Momin alais Karak said, “We found nothing against the BDO and decided to release him.”- From Our Correspondent
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