Shillong, February 3: The Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militant outfit has demanded Rs 20 lakhs from the family members of the kidnapped coal exporter Naga M. Sangma (39), brother of Meghalaya Independent legislator and parliamentary secretary Samuel Sangma.
Intelligence officials said that Naga is being held captive by the Garo militant and has demanded the ransom for his safe release.
Four days after he was abducted, Naga whereabouts is unknown, but intelligence sources said that he is still being kept in Garo hills by the GNLA.
On Jan 30, four armed GNLA militants abducted Naga at gunpoint from his house in the Gasuapara area in South Garo hills district about 180 km from Shillong
.A South Garo hills police official said, “We don’t know the whereabouts of Sangma, but rescue operations are on.”
Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and Meghalaya’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) commandos have been pressed into service to trace the Naga.
Naga is also a coal exporter to Bangladesh from Gasuapara Land Custom Station.The intelligence official said on condition of anonymity, “Naga is very much in Garo Hills and the rebels are negotiating the ransom with his family members.”
The GNLA had earlier slapped extortion demands ranging from Rs.5 lakh to Rs.1 crore on petrol pump owners, coal dealers and businessmen in the coal-rich districts of the Garo hills.
The GNLA has been outlawed by the central government.- By Our Reporter kin
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