TURA, SEPT 29: Nine traders from Assam were on Thursday abducted by suspected militants of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) from Songotagre village, near Chokpot in South Garo Hills. All the nine traders were from South Salmara – Mancachar district of Assam.
The incident took place around 5:30 am. Chokpot region is a militant infested area, about 55 km from Tura in West Garo Hills.
The traders were on their way to Silkigre weekly market in South Garo hills in a Mahindra pick up, when armed militants abducted the traders at gunpoint by stopping their vehicle.
Police suspect that the rebels had taken the traders towards the dense jungle at Songotagre village. A massive combing operation has been launched in the area. The vehicle was recovered by the police and has been brought to Chokpot police station.
“More than 30 of them had proceeded to Silkigre this morning in three pickup vans with one of the vans being stopped by the militants. All on board were taken at gun point,” said a trader from Mancachar, who had also gone to the weekly market.
Superintendent of police South Garo hills Anand Mishra said that three teams of policemen have moved to the jungles to trace the traders. “Our teams are already on the job and massive search has been launched. We are hopeful of a breakthrough soon. We suspect the kidnapping to be the handiwork of the GNLA,” Mishra added.
Of the nine abducted, names of six have been confirmed. They are — Akhirul Islam (driver, 21 of Shantipur), Saiful Islam (30, Shantipur), Jiarul islam (28, Bortol), Monirul Islam (30, Kushimara) Mofidul Islam (25, Kusimara) and Anowar Islam (35 of Kushimara). Mishra is also at the operation site along with the security personnel.-From Our Correspondent
surgical opetation needs to combat terrorist activity.