Police arrest militants after abductions

From Our Correspondent

TURA, FEB 1: Meghalaya police on Wednesday informed that in a series of overnight raids three cadres of ASAK outfit and a cadre of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) were arrested from different parts of South Garo hills.

The raids were conducted following the abduction of four civilians from Kolapara village, near Gasuapara, along the remote India-Bangladesh border in South Garo Hills.

On January 22 four civilians were abducted, of which one Nilip Momin, 27 was released on January 27. Momin is a truck driver from Williamnagar in East Garo hills.

Police had continued its search operation, which mounted pressure on the rebels and on January 30 night, other victims were also released.

Superintendent of police South Garo Hills Anand Mishra said that commander-in-chief of ASAK outfit Reding T. Sangma had demanded huge ransom from their family members.

Mishra informed that ASAK cadre Nikseng Shira, 22 responsible for collecting ransom was arrested in Tura on January 30 in a joint raid conducted by Baghmara police special cell and special police team of Tura.

“Police recovered and has seized ransom money from his possession. He has been collecting ransom and extortion money on behalf of ASAK on many other occasions earlier”, Mishra added.

On leads provided by arrested ASAK cadre Nikseng, police launched focused search operations and the abductors were forced to release the remaining three victims in hurry.

“Victims were released on January 30 night somewhere between Dumnikura and Ramchengga village, near Gasuapara in the jungle area”, the SP informed.

He said following the safe release of the victims, based on available inputs, District Police Teams from South Garo Hills conducted a series of raids in the intervening night of yesterday (January 31) and today (January 1) and has arrested three ASAK cadres who were involved in various capacities in the recent abductions.

The arrested cadres are — Sahid Ch Marak, 26, Lamingstone Ch. Sangma, 29 and Jainish R Marak, 29.

“Many other underground and overground cadres have been identified and police operations have been intensified to nab all of them. Special mechanisms have also been put in place to avoid and prevent any further abduction”, Mishra said.

The SP also informed that on a tip off, police raided Gare Nawak village, near Nangalbibra today and arrested one Herod R Marak, 32. “He has been working for GNLA for quite some time. He has not only been identifying victims for extortion but has also been collecting extortion money on behalf of GNLA”, Mishra said.

Mishra informed that Herod was deputed by GNLA C-in-C Sohan D. Shira to keep an eye on ongoing police operations and police movements so as to plan an attack upon moving police teams by the GNLA.